'It would overwhelm me' - Arsenal and Lionesses star Leah Williamson admits she becomes 'glazy' to deal with fan attention

The Gunners defender had been sidelined since April 2023 with a devastating ACL injury, missing the Lionesses' memorable World Cup run as a result. Williamson made her return to the action last month with a substitute appearance for Arsenal against Reading. Fans were naturally thrilled at the sight of their star player returning to the fray, but Williamson admits that that attention can get too much sometimes.

Speaking to Sky Sports before the Gunners' clash against Manchester United on Saturday, the defender explained: "I want people to know how much I appreciate the support, the appreciation of me as a footballer. But I find it... I have to be a bit glazy about it in terms of staying back from getting too involved in the noise, because otherwise it would overwhelm me. I never want people to take that as me not appreciating it [the support]."

Less than two weeks after her first substitute appearance for the Gunners, she made her first Arsenal start in 10 months in a clash against West Ham. Williamson was then recalled to Sarina Weigman's England squad earlier this week for the Lionesses' upcoming fixtures against Austria and Italy.

While her ACL recovery is practically complete, Williamson suffered a last-minute injury setback ahead of Saturday's clash against United, this time to her hamstring. The Gunners will therefore be without their captain as they chase all three points in order to keep their WSL title hopes alive.