Arsenal's season is not how they wanted to have it planned out to say the least, but the gunners have managed to look as though they have secured 3rd place in the league and get Champions League qualification, but where do they go from here?
I was planning to have this blog up as part of my schedule but also thought it perfectly tied up with the news that came in yesterday that Rafaelle Souza is expected to leave the gunners in the summer transfer window.
This would assumably leave Arsenal 2 defenders down for the start of the season, with Leah Williamson currently injured with an ACL injury.
Although it would be expected that Williamson will return mid season , surely the gunners could not be without two key defenders and not invest into replacement(s).
Souza is rumored in connection with the MLS side Orlando Pride, which is known to be a popular club for Brazilian players.
At the start of the season , their was a large possibility that the gunners could win the title - they had (and still have) the talent.
After they where able to secure Vivianne Miedema for an additional season with a contract extension the future looked bright for the gunners. Although they did not heavily invest in the summer, they signed Lina Hurting from Juventus as well as Gio -who at the time they would loan out to Everton , for her later to be recalled due to injury woes.
But- injuries have been Arsenal's biggest problem this season.
The first major injuries of the season happened when Rafaelle Souza and Williamson both became injured at almost the same time towards the start of the season. Williamson missed the lionesses win against USA at Wembley - where she was forced to sit at the sidelines for the game.
Both where out for several weeks, and then where slowly bought back into the squad in slowly rising increments of time.
The first of Arsenals four ACL injuries came in their home match at the Emirates vs Manchester United (which Arsenal where unlucky to loose thanks to 2 late goals which sealed the Man United victory). When Beth Mead , defending a ball going out of the pitch, overstretched. Mead was limped off the field of play towards the end.
It was just over a month later the second ACL hit, this time to the WSL top (of all time) goal scorer, Miedema.
After overstretching to receive the ball in their Champions League group stage game against Lyon, Miedema was stretchered off the pitch.
Vivianne Miedema has been critical of the care and sports phycology, not just at Arsenal but in the women's game.
Mead hopes she will make it back for the world cup- but with the team selection in less than a week's time (Wednesday 31st) and currently having no playing time - it looks unlikely.
Miedema has made clear that she is not available for squad selection for the World Cup multiple times, instead saying she wants to be prepared and ready for the start of next season.
Their third ACL tear came to England Captain Leah Williamson who was injured in Arsenal's match away at Manchester United.
Williamsons presence will not only be missed by Arsenal , but by England too.
Serina Weigman has not announced a new captain placement - but maybe we can expect this to come alongside her squad selection on Wednesday. England will possibly be without Lucy Bronze too, who came off injured for Barcelona V Chelsea in the Champions League semi final and has now had key hole surgery (although she is not completely ruled out and still a high chance she will be picked) , as well as Chelsea defender and England's defensive rock Millie Bright , out injured. In addition to this Rachel Daly has started playing more in an upfront and forwards position for England as she does domestically.
So, in conclusion England could have lost all 4 of the defenders that started the Women's Euro final.
Williamson is the most successful lioness captain of all time - in terms of trophy's won.
Arsenal's fourth ACL tear of the season happened in their Champions League semi final which they suffered a late heartbreak to Wolfsburg. Laura Wienroither was stretchered off injured - which was later confirmed to be an ACL injury.
NOTE- This blog was written before the squad was announced , but I wanted to post it anyways because It took me such a long time to make :)
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