Borehamwood, England, March 12th 2023: Leah Williamson (6 Arsenal) in action during the Womens Super League game between
Arsenal and Reading at Meadow Park in Borehamwood, England (Dylan Clinton/SPP)
New Arsenal signing Smilla Holmberg made her first appearance for the club on Saturday when she came on as a second-half substitute against Manchester United.
After signing for the Gunners last week, Holmberg came on as an 83rd-minute replacement for Emily Fox.
And Leah Williamson said afterwards that the teenager had made a good impression in her time at the club so far.
“She’s a really great addition to the squad,” she said. “She’s been great in training this week. She’s a really disciplined hard-working player, so I think there’s a lot of respect there, already earned, amongst her teammates and she’s been doing some great things in training.
“I’ve enjoyed playing with her. Look at the way she attacked the game today. She’s young, it’s a big club and a big occasion and no fear in her eyes.”
Leah Williamson: We don’t stop
The match ended 0-0 despite a second-half red card for United’s Jayde Riviere – and in front of 37,627 fans at the Emirates, it is no wonder that Williamson described the result as “disappointing”.
“We played some good football, I thought, but no end product in terms of a goal so there’s learnings, we’re fuelled by it. We come up against them again very soon.
“It’s not what we wanted but we don’t stop, we keep moving. That’s the strong mentality of this team, I think that’s what can set us apart at times so we need that to kick in now.”
Williamson: I hope I feel ten times better next week
Williamson was pleased, however, with her continuing route to match fitness – with this being her first start in the Barclays Women’s Super League all season following surgery after winning the Women’s Euros with England last summer.
“It’s been really nice to have a good week of training,” she said. “We have a busy schedule because we’ve been successful and we’re in a lot of competitions, but it doesn’t leave much time for training.
“So it’s been nice, the team has really benefited from a week together, another week coming up and hopefully as I felt today, I hope I feel ten times better next week.”
