Arsenal midfield star Lia Walti to miss Continental Tyres FA WSL Cup final with knee injury

Arsenal and Chelsea are set for yet another blockbuster final this weekend as the Continental Tyres Cup grand finale takes place at the Molineux Stadium on Saturday. Founded 13 years ago, the Gunners are the most successful side in the tournament with six titles, securing their sixth in 2023 following a 3-1 triumph over the Blues at Selhurst Park last year.

Jonas Eidevall will be hoping for a similarly victorious result when his side take on Emma Hayes's squad this weekend but they will be missing yet another key player to injury with Lia Walti set to be out for several weeks following a knee injury. The 30-year-old played 72 minutes of the side's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 15 March but then missed the side's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday and her manager is now unsure whether the midfielder will be returning to action before the end of the season.

Speaking to the press, the Swedish 41-year-old Arsenal boss said: "She suffered a minor knee injury in training this week so she will be out for several weeks. What several weeks means in relation to the season, I don't know. We need to let this go a couple of weeks then we will have a much better picture and we can see if she will be available for the last games of the season. But it is a minor knee injury and that is important to say."

Walti will now join Vivianne Miedema on the sidelines with the striker also out following a recent knee injury. Walti has been a key part of Eidevall's squad this season and has appeared in 15 of Arsenal's 17 WSL games this season, providing three assists along the way. The Swiss international captain joined the Emirates side in 2018 following a five year spell with Turbine Potsdam and has made nearly 150 WSL appearances.

The Swiss star will also now likely miss the end of the WSL campaign as Arsenal battle against Chelsea and Manchester City to finish top. The recent defeat to Emma Hayes's Chelsea, however, has severely damaged their chances of a fourth league title.

Arsenal face Chelsea once again this Saturday, 31 March, at 3pm with the two sides heading to Wolves' home ground of Molineux in the hopes of lifting the Continental Tyres FA WSL Cup trophy. The clash will be available to watch on the FA Player.