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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>England star in target versus Palace</li><li>Last WSL goal came in March 2023</li><li>Embracing fierce competition for places</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionesses star Leah Williamson explains ‘hardest battle’ any Arsenal player faces after scoring first WSL goal in 679 days

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<p>Shortly after hitting the net for the Gunners back in March 2023, England international Williamson suffered <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-lionesses-star-leah-williamson-months-hell-rehab-suffering-dreaded-acl-injury/blt36ecd5340e06d754" target="_blank">knee ligament damage that kept her out of action for nine months</a>. She is now fully up to speed again with club and country.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Williamson was back among the goals for Arsenal during their latest outing, as she <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-women-player-ratings-crystal-palace-leah-williamson-beth-mead-alessia-russo-wsl/blte170d34afa29e624" target="_blank">opened the scoring in a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace</a>. The Gunners were at full strength for that contest, with there fierce competition for places in Renee Slegers’ squad.</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The wait is OVER...<br><br>Leah Williamson's goal against Crystal Palace ended the <a href="https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArsenalWFC</a> star's 679-day wait for a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BarclaysWSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BarclaysWSL</a> goal! 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/997P62DUrt">pic.twitter.com/997P62DUrt</a></p>— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarclaysWSL/status/1881014317547716646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Williamson has told <a href="https://www.arsenal.com/news/alessia-and-leah-five-star-win-over-palace " target="_blank">Arsenal’s official media</a> channels of the quality that is now on show in north London: “Well I have to train against them every day! I know their qualities and I think the standard across the squad, the level in competition is so high, that when these players come onto the pitch, hopefully they’ve faced the hardest battle they’re going to face throughout the week before they get here.”</p>

WHAT LEAH WILLIAMSON SAID

<p>Arsenal boast plenty of strength in depth, with Williamson adding on the options at Slegers’ disposal: “It helps that we have a fit squad and quality across that. Renee has used it as an opportunity to implement a bit more of her style as well and different things. We were fit enough to push each other.”  </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The Gunners have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/leah-williamson-arsenal-custom-jacket-o2-classic-premier-league-font/blt8be998b7c35768f1" target="_blank">suffered just one WSL defeat through 11 games this season</a>, and returned to action with a bang after the winter break, but they still find themselves seven points adrift of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-women-player-ratings-west-ham-catarina-macario-aggie-beever-jones-erin-cuthbert-wsl/blt7c0eb9b11a33a212" target="_blank">unbeaten leaders Chelsea</a> in another title race that is being dominated by their rivals from across the English capital.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Lionesses star Leah Williamson explains ‘hardest battle’ any Arsenal player faces after scoring first WSL goal in 679 days | Goal.com

Leah Williamson has explained the “hardest battle” that any Arsenal player faces after scoring her first WSL goal in almost two years.