Leah Williamson expressed her relief at rejoining the national team after a challenging start to the season with Arsenal. The Gunners have struggled in the 2024-25 season, lacking a permanent manager since Jonas Eidevall’s departure last week.
Eidevall left Arsenal in sixth place in the Women’s Super League, having secured only one victory in their first four matches.
In his final week, Arsenal suffered a 5-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and lost 2-1 to Chelsea in the league. Interim coach Renee Slegers has since led the team to two consecutive wins, providing some stability. Rumours suggest Nick Cushing from New York City FC is a strong candidate for the full-time managerial role.
Williamson is finding solace in her new surroundings. She noted that this season has been unusual, as players typically have an international window earlier. “We’ve obviously been at our clubs for a long time,” she remarked, highlighting how staying in one place for an extended period feels different.
Reflecting on recent results, Williamson acknowledged they reveal much about a team’s journey. She emphasised that while outcomes are telling, daily performance improvements are within reach. “I think results tell a story,” she said, adding that football’s global standards are rising, presenting challenges everyone enjoys.
This year marks another Euros cycle, prompting teams to strategise for upcoming competitions. Williamson believes plans will become clearer over the next few months as teams aim to win games consistently.
Upcoming International Matches
England is set to face Germany at Wembley on Friday in a friendly match reminiscent of the Euro 2022 final. Following this game, they will play against South Africa on Tuesday. Williamson appreciates being away from club duties during this period and has had no contact with Arsenal since joining the national team camp.
The shift to international play offers Williamson a fresh perspective and an opportunity to focus on different challenges ahead with England.
