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Leah Williamson Out for Champions League Clash Due to Concussion

Leah Williamson will miss the upcoming second leg of Arsenal Women’s Champions League second-round tie against Hacken as she continues to adhere to concussion protocols. This marks a significant setback for the team as they seek to overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

Williamson’s absence was also felt during Arsenal’s Women’s Super League opener against Manchester City, which concluded in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

In her place, teammates Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina, who is fresh off a World Cup victory with Spain, are expected to step up and fill the defensive roles. Their experience will be crucial as Arsenal aims for a comeback in the next match.

Additionally, injuries have plagued the squad, with Victoria Pelova and Steph Catley also not participating in training on Wednesday. Catley has been confirmed out for Thursday’s game as well.

Manager’s Comments on Williamson’s Status

Arsenal’s manager, Jonas Eidevall, addressed the media regarding Williamson’s injury, stating, “I don’t have a timeframe on Leah’s injury at the moment. It’s guided by our medical team. When I have something more concrete to communicate, I will do that.” He noted that Williamson’s concussion was sustained during a training incident.

Eidevall expressed the importance of qualifying for the group stages, adding, “If we don’t qualify, I would definitely consider that a failure. We need to get into the groups.” This statement underscores the pressure the team faces as they navigate both injuries and high expectations.

While Williamson’s status remains uncertain, Eidevall confirmed that teammate Lina Hurtig is with the team but missing due to an unspecified injury, although she has returned to training.

As Arsenal prepares for this crucial match, the team will need to rally and adapt in the face of ongoing challenges.

Source
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