Leah Williamson: her reaction after first start for Arsenal following injury lay-off | OneFootball

Arsenal v Reading – Womens Super League – Meadow Park

Borehamwood, England, March 12th 2023: Leah Williamson (6 Arsenal) in action during the Womens Super League game between

Arsenal and Reading at Meadow Park in Borehamwood, England (Dylan Clinton/SPP)

Leah Williamson made her first start for Arsenal this season as they secured a 2-0 win over WSL2 team Crystal Palace to make it into the semi-finals of the Subway Women’s League Cup.

And she spoke to the Barclays WSL YouTube channel immediately afterwards, saying: “That’s the return ticked off now. It’s been a long time. The girls are great. I enjoyed being back with them.”

Palace pushed the Gunners all the way, with Laia Codina opening the scoring in the first half and Stina Blackstenius’s late strike making the scoreline a little more comfortable than the match may have been.

Indeed, Abbie Larkin hit the woodwork twice to threaten an equaliser for the hosts.

And Leah Williamson agreed that the occasion of a cup quarter-final made the playing field level.

“I think circumstantially the game levels out the two teams,” she said. “It was a good game from them. We knew that coming in. They’ve been off the back of a good run of games. So have we. So we were cool, and we take home the win.”

Leah Williamson: We look forward to playing Manchester United

Arsenal will next face Manchester United, who defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to reach the last four.

“Any game in the semi-final is going to be tough,” said Williamson. “[We] look forward to it. [We will] go home, reset over Christmas and then come back ready for what’s to come in the new year.”

And with Arsenal about to enter the Women’s FA Cup at the fourth round stage as well as continuing UEFA Women’s Champions League commitments, the England captain said she was happy with the packed schedule awaiting the Gunners in 2026.

“That’s what happens when you’re successful,” she said. “It gets busier and you’re in more competitions. We’ll reset, come back and be ready to go.”