Arsenal confirm defender’s season is over after severe knee injury

Arsenal have confirmed another star player has ruptured their anterior ligament injury - their fourth ACL injury of the season.
By Graham Falk
Published 4th May 2023, 10:39 GMT
Updated 4th May 2023, 14:49 GMT
Laura Wienroither of Arsenal leaves the field on a stretcher after receiving medical treatment during the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final 2nd leg match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium on May 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Laura Wienroither of Arsenal leaves the field on a stretcher after receiving medical treatment during the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final 2nd leg match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium on May 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Laura Wienroither of Arsenal leaves the field on a stretcher after receiving medical treatment during the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final 2nd leg match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium on May 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The club confirmed the news that Austrian full back Laura Wienroither has rupture her anterior ligament in the UEFA Champions League semi-final loss to Wolfsburg.

Wienroither was forced off the pitch in the 82nd minute after falling awkwardly on the Emirates pitch and becomes Arsenal’s FOURTH player to suffer the injury after similar injuries several of the Gunners’ key player this year.

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A statement via their club official website said: “Laura has subsequently undergone testing to determine the extent of the injury. Laura will undergo surgery in due course and will be sidelined for an extended period. Everyone at the club will now be supporting Laura and working hard to support her recovery and return to action.”

The Austrian, who joined the club in 2022 from 1899 Hoffeinheim, has played a total of 17 times for the club in the Women’s Super League this season and also featured prominently in Austria’s Euro 2022, where they reached the quarter final stage of the competition.

It is only two weeks since Lionesses captain Leah Williamson was ruled out for a “significant period” of time after suffered her own ACL injury in the loss to Manchester United, while forward Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema both sustained ACL injuries earlier this season. The frequency of the injuries have left many questioning exactly why it has happened so frequently for the club this season

Wienroither’s team mate Rafaella Souza pointed to Arsenal’s busy schedule as a potential reason in the aftermath of Monday’s defeat to Wolfsburg, saying: “We have to take a look and see if it’s the right thing to do, maybe have fewer games or a more extended schedule. We have to look into it. It’s really upsetting and we are not happy with everything that is happening this season, though I think that the players coming in are doing a good job and we got to the semi-finals - we have to be proud of it.”

And there is little rest for Jonas Eidevall’s side as they face Leicester City this Friday in a game that will shown live on television.

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