Arsenal Women's manager Jonas Eidevall has delivered a sobering medical update that reveals several key players face extended periods on the treatment table, dealing a significant blow to the team's ambitions across multiple competitions.
Defensive Worries Mount for Gunners
The situation appears particularly concerning in defence, where Swedish international Lina Hurtig is set for a prolonged absence. Medical assessments have confirmed the versatile defender requires extensive rehabilitation, leaving a substantial void in Eidevall's defensive options.
"Lina's situation is more long-term than we initially hoped," Eidevall confirmed to reporters. "She's facing a significant rehabilitation period, and we need to support her through that process while finding solutions within our squad."
Williamson's Cautious Comeback Continues
England captain Leah Williamson remains carefully managed in her return from ACL surgery, with the club adopting a deliberately measured approach to her reintegration. The defensive stalwart continues to build match fitness through controlled training sessions rather than immediate first-team returns.
Eidevall emphasised the importance of patience, stating: "We're following a very specific plan with Leah. It's about building her up properly rather than rushing anything. Her leadership and quality remain invaluable to us, but her long-term health is the absolute priority."
Miedema's Recovery Progresses Positively
In more encouraging news, Vivianne Miedema continues to make steady progress in her own ACL recovery. The Dutch superstar has returned to limited training activities, though the medical team remains cautious about setting specific return dates.
"Viv is doing well in her rehabilitation and we're seeing positive signs," Eidevall noted. "She's hitting all the milestones we've set, but with injuries of this nature, we must remain patient and not get ahead of ourselves."
Squad Depth Tested Ahead of Busy Schedule
The mounting injury list presents Eidevall with significant selection headaches as Arsenal Women prepare for a congested fixture schedule across the Women's Super League and continental competitions. The medical department faces the challenging task of managing multiple rehabilitation programmes simultaneously while supporting the fitness of available players.
With several first-team regulars facing extended spells on the sidelines, Arsenal's squad depth will be thoroughly tested in the coming weeks, potentially opening opportunities for emerging talents to stake their claim for more prominent roles.
