'You feel awful' - Lionesses star Leah Williamson admits Arsenal pre-season hasn't been 'perfect' as Gunners prepare for Champions League qualification clash with Rangers

Williamson says she feels more prepared than she has done in years as Arsenal return to competitive action ahead of the new Women's Super League season. The Gunners take on Rangers in a Champions League qualifier on Wednesday night and the Lionesses defender has been put through her paces after missing large periods through injury in the last few years.

Speaking ahead of the Rangers match, she said: "Yeah, I can't sit there and tell you it’s been the perfect off-season and preseason because it hasn’t. We’ve not been allowed that luxury for a long time and I never thought I'd wish for a real preseason where you’re made to run and you feel awful to be quite honest.

"I’m trying to think of polite words to use to describe a normal preseason but I feel more prepared than I have done, way more prepared, than previous years and to be honest being back on the pitch personally is a win for me to be competing for my spot in the squad and then to compete for Arsenal in this stage. So, I feel good. I think a lot of the girls have had more time than they have done for a long time."

The Gunners came third in the WSL last term, finishing five points behind champions Chelsea and Manchester City. But they had to cope without their star defender for much of the campaign while she recovered from an ACL injury. Williamson returned in February before getting injured again but will be hoping to steer clear of any problems in 2024-25 as Arsenal look to compete at the top of the table.

Following their Champions League qualifier at home to Rangers, Arsenal and Williamson will have a couple more weeks to prepare for the return of domestic football. Jonas Eidevall's side have a tough start against Manchester City but will see it as the perfect opportunity to build some momentum.