Arsenal boss calls on England international to remedy double injury blow

Arsenal face what is, on paper, a relatively routine visit to the Madejski Stadium to face winless Reading on Sunday night.

But Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall has been forced to improvise as both of his centre-backs, Leah Williamson and Rafaelle, are out to injury.

The pair formed a sturdy pairing since Rafaelle signed in January, with Lioness captain Williamson speaking highly of the ‘honour’ of playing with the Brazilian international just days before Rafaelle fractured her metatarsal.

Williamson was then to be struck by her own dose of misfortune as she was forced to pull out of England duties earlier this month with an unidentified injury.

The 26-year-old was since spotted wearing a protective boot and walking in crutches - though Eidevall has not confirmed the nature of Williamson’s injury, he did reveal this week that both of his centre-backs will be out for several weeks.

For the Reading clash, Eidevall opted to pair Steph Catley and Lotte Wubben-Moy at the heart of his back line.

After early leaders Manchester United made it three wins in three against Brighton on Sunday afternoon, the Gunners will be hoping to match the Reds’ result to keep the pace at the top of the Women’s Super League table.

What’s more, Eidevall will want to see a water-tight performance from his newly-constructed back four before they visit Olympique Lyon for a UEFA Women’s Champions League tie on Wednesday night.

If the North London side want the best chance of progressing from their tough UWCL group, the new Catley-Wubben-Moy partnership will need to hold fast in the face of the eight-time European champions.