Arsenal captain Williamson set for first outing since Euro 2025 final

Leah Williamson could make her first appearance since the Euro 2025 final when Arsenal face Twente in the Women's Champions League on Tuesday, Renee Slegers has confirmed.

The European champions have made an indifferent start to their title defence, winning two and losing two of their first four games to sit 10th in the 18-team standings.

The Gunners are also fourth in the Women's Super League, eight points behind leaders Manchester City, having had to cope without their captain all campaign.

Williamson had to undergo knee surgery following the Lionesses' victory over Spain in the European Championship final in July. Sarina Wiegman's team triumphed 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, despite Williamson being one of two England players failing to convert in the shoot-out. 

Williamson made 19 WSL appearances last season, starting on 17 occasions in a bounce-back campaign after an anterior cruciate ligament tear limited her to just nine outings in the previous edition of the competition, in 2023-24.

She also played the full 90 minutes as Arsenal upset Barcelona to win their second European crown in May, and Slegers is delighted to have the centre-back in contention after she was an unused substitute for Saturday's 2-1 win over Liverpool.

"Of course, it was unfortunate for her to sustain that injury at the Euros and she had to work hard to come back from it," Slegers said.

"She is in a really good place and has been spending a lot of time on the pitch.

"Maybe the timing of the international break extended that as there was no opportunity to train in big groups with 11 versus 11 and in chaotic moments.

"But she is very ready, and we will be very happy to have her back. The players who have been playing have been doing really well.

"She's been training with the team and was in the squad against Liverpool just to get back into her routine. It was good to have her around. 

"She is doing well and did the full session again today. She is available for a couple of minutes tomorrow. She won't start, but she will be in the squad."

Tuesday's game will see Slegers become the first Dutch manager to come up against a Dutch club in a Women's Champions League match, while Twente are winless in their previous three games against English opposition in the competition, drawing once and losing twice.