Arsenal star Leah Williamson ruled out of Gunners' huge WSL opener with Manchester City as Lionesses team-mate Alessia Russo drops to the bench in surprise team selection

The Lionesses' captain was expected to be in contention to start Sunday's match after recovering from a problem that reduced her to the role of a substitute for Wednesday's Champions League qualifying defeat to Hacken. However, when Arsenal's team news was announced on the day of the fixture, she was absent from the squad entirely due to concussion protocol.

The Gunners are a little lighter when it comes to senior centre-backs this year, due to Amanda Ilestedt announcing her pregnancy in March and just this week giving birth to her first child. Lotte Wubben-Moy, Williamson's England team-mate, and Laia Codina, who won the World Cup with Spain last year, were head coach Jonas Eidevall's choice of pairing on Sunday, with Katie Reid, a very talented academy product, the only other player in the squad who is a natural in the position.

Eidevall also chose to start Sunday's game with Stina Blackstenius leading the line, rather than Lionesses striker Alessia Russo. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the clash, he explained that this was because he felt Man City had a weakness in defending the 'transitional moments' that Blackstenius could help to exploit.

How long Williamson will be in concussion protocol for is unclear at the moment but it raises concerns for Arsenal ahead of a huge match on Thursday, when they play the second leg of that European qualifier with Hacken. The Gunners are 1-0 down so will need to win by two goals or more if they are to reach the Champions League group stages - and could be without their star defender as they aim to do so.