Leah Williamson to use Arsenal inspiration with Lionesses after World Cup agony

Daily Mirror

9 hours ago

Leah Williamson led England to success at the Euros in 2022, but the following year she missed out on a place at the World Cup after suffering a knee ligament injury
There are plenty of reasons why Leah Williamson is 'hungry' for success when the women's Euros begin in Switzerland. Among them is the fact the Lionesses captain was forced to miss World Cup 2023 with a knee ligament injury.
But top of the list is that the 28-year-old defender wants another taste of the unexpected glory she enjoyed with her club at the end of last season. Williamson was magnificent in Arsenal's Champions League final victory over Barcelona last month and that win has made her even more motivated going into the Euros.
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'One of the greatest things about being an athlete is when you think you're done, you always have that extra part of yourself that you can tap into,' Williamson says.
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'It's the same with winning. When you're winning, you want to bathe in that euphoria, but there's always something else coming.
'The best feeling in the world is being hungry for it and wanting to go again. Being reminded of winning the Champions League and what that felt like makes me feel like I can't wait for the next challenge.
'I kind of forget that we won the Champions League. It's in my head and I'll tap into that if needed.'
The Champions League success was a special landmark in Williamson's career, having suffered a cruciate ligament rupture towards the end of the 2022-23 season that kept her out of the World Cup that year.
And that cruel setback means Williamson will savour the upcoming Swiss adventure just that little bit more.
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She explains: 'Personally it's been a rocky period of time with the highest of the highs and lowest of the lows so I try to put that aside. I feel my age, if that makes any sense. I've definitely aged in the last couple of years, for good and bad reasons.
'I missed the last time (World Cup) and I'm very, very grateful to be here again.'
Williamson, of course, led England to glory on home soil in Euro 2022 and admits the added expectation created by that triumph means there is a slightly different feeling around the England camp ahead of their tournament opener against France next Saturday.
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She says: 'Yes, it does feel slightly different. That was such a freeing environment in 2022. Sarina (Wiegman) had been in for a year, everything was really fresh and new, whereas this is a bit more about you needing to be able to discuss a bit and plan and pre-thought.
'But I see a group that's focused and wants to be better all the time. Everyone wants to work hard. Everyone has a good attitude towards the job.
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'Playing for England in a tournament, there's nothing that compares. I'm very excited.'
England's build-up to Euro 2025 has not been as smooth as Wiegman might have hoped, with goalkeeper Mary Earps announcing a shock retirement from international football and Chelsea defender Millie Bright pulling out of the tournament saying she was 'not able to give 100 percent mentally or physically.'
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Fran Kirby, who scored twice in England's successful Euro 2022 campaign, also announced she would no longer be available for selection.
Williamson admits they will be missed but it says it is a setback the Lionesses can overcome.
She says: 'It's tough going out there without the experience they offer but I respect all of them for the decisions they have made and we are a team on a mission.
'We will miss them but we are well-placed to fill that gap … in a different way. No-one will ever be able to do it like those three did it but we will figure it out.'