Arsenal star Amanda Ilestedt stepping away from football as she announces pregnancy

The 31-year-old and partner Rainer Muller announced on social media on Wednesday that they are expecting, while Arsenal confirmed that the Sweden international will not feature for the Women's Super League team until after she has given birth.

She wrote on Instagram: "Exciting news! We are having a baby!!"

Arsenal announced the news in a statement published on the club's website, reading: "We are delighted to share the happy news that Amanda Ilestedt is expecting her first child.

"Amanda is doing well and we are supporting her closely throughout this new and exciting journey.

"Amanda will continue to undertake light training activities and keep in close contact with our medical team as her pregnancy progresses, but will not now be available for selection until after she has given birth.

"Everybody at Arsenal would like to send our warm congratulations to Amanda and her partner Rainer ahead of the new arrival."

Ilestedt joined Arsenal from Paris Saint-Germain last year and has since made 12 WSL appearances for the Gunners, adding one goal. The north London team will now be without the ex-Bayern Munich defender for several months.

While Ilestedt gets ready to welcome her first child into the world, the Gunners will hope to keep up their WSL title challenge in her absence. Arsenal are third in the league and just three points behind Chelsea and Manchester City.