Leah Williamson returned from a two-month injury lay-off during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday afternoon. Leah came on as a 67th minute substitute to rapturous applause from the home crowd. Leah spoke to a couple of us post-match, the first three questions are from Arseblog News.
On whether the injury gave her a welcome chance to refresh…
I think I needed it. I wasn’t in the best place so I’ve used this time to – I said I had to get something out of this; I’m injured, I can’t play so I’ve used it to my advantage as best I can and got myself back on track.
On rehabbing alongside centre-half partner Rafaelle…
I love the girl honesty. We spend most days together, me, her and Teyah (Goldie) have been a right little crew. But for me and Rafa it’s made the rehab drills a little bit easier, we’re both centre halves so we’re just working in a partnership like we do on the pitch so it’s been nice.
How’s your Portuguese?
Yeah not great. I keep asking for words but she says we have to start with the basics so…
On whether this felt like a comfortable win…
I was saying that for your return you don’t really want to come on as a defender 1-0 up but the team had it under control, it was good. I think that was the message at half time and stuff. At the end it got a little bit hairy but you expect that when they’re throwing everything at it so I think the girls did good today, really good.
One of our own, @leahcwilliamson ❤️ pic.twitter.com/z8P5H5TwMb
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) December 3, 2022
On the reception from the crowd when she came on…
It is nice. It’s nice because you come back in, the girls have been great, I just want to keep delivering on what they’ve been doing. So to in and people be happy about that so to speak is not a bad feeling.
On how her teammates have done in her absence…
Yeah I think it’s that element of control. The girls have done an amazing job. There’s been some incredible results in there. Obviously the loss to United, we wanted to come back and start again kind of thing. It’s been good, it’s been great; it’s a nice feeling when you’re injured and you’re fighting to get back in and as soon as I come back in I felt well off the pace which is great because it means the team’s firing and hopefully catching up a little now.
On making her 200th Arsenal appearance…
It means everything. Very proud. Very grateful. What am I, 25? I’ve probably also been out for the accumulation of about three years as well so it feels like I’ve been here forever. 200 appearances is a nice milestone to get to.
Fantastic, so glad she is back!
Leah’s abilities to drive forwards with the ball, and to hit long forward passes, gives the team far more options when they have the ball in defence.
Pure baller
Leah is Arsenal’s “Golden Girl”