Arsenal set to renew Leah Williamson’s contract

On Tuesday Arsenal announced the extension of defender Steph Catley’s contract, while striker Stina Blackstenius renewed her deal last week and Little has signed for an additional year.

What would Williamson’s contract extension mean for Arsenal?

Williamson played her first 90 minutes in the Women’s Super League in January but has struggled to play consecutive full 90-minute games for her club this season due to minor niggles.

On Sunday, however, Williamson started in Arsenal’s crucial 2-1 Champions League semi-final first leg win against OL Lyonnes, alongside Lotte Wubben-Moy at centre-back. Regaining fitness at this pivotal time of the year could prove decisive for Arsenal’s league and European campaigns as Renee Slegers’ side try to regain ground on Manchester City and defend their Champions League title.

Williamson’s ties with Arsenal are deep-rooted having joined the club’s youth set-up aged nine, 21 years ago. It is hard to see Arsenal without Williamson and vice versa given the indelible connection. By staying, she evidently feels she can continue to develop and challenge for the biggest titles.

In Williamson, Arsenal are keeping one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the women’s game which suits her club’s possession-dominant playing style.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Arsenal, Women's Soccer

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