Arsenal have announced that Leah Williamson suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in the defeat to Manchester United on Wednesday night.

Williamson underwent further assessment on Thursday to determine the extent of her injury, the third ACL that Arsenal have suffered this season.

After collapsing in pain in the twelfth minute Williamson was able to limp off rather than using the stretcher, but she was seen leaving the stadium in crutches.

This has been the first update issued since Williamson came off at Leigh Sports Village, with fans and media only left to speculate over the nature of the injury up until now.

The news comes with the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup less than three months away. England are already likely to be without Beth Mead, their top goalscorer from Euro 2022, and now Sarina Wiegman will have to cope with certain loss of her captain.

On Instagram, Williamson wrote: "Until I have the words to express my feelings properly I will struggle to verbalise them. The noise around the situation is loud and I need some quiet to let it all sink in".

"Unfortunately the World Cup and Champions League dream is over for me and everyone will think that's the main focus, but it's the day to day of what I'm about to go through that is the most draining of my thoughts".

Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat left them six points behind league leaders United with a game in hand in an injury-hit season like no other for the Gunners. Williamson was playing in midfield and wearing the armband in the absence of captain Kim Little, who will play no further part this season due to a hamstring injury. 

Arsenal were also without Caitlin Foord, one of their best players this season, and Lina Hurtig, as well as Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead who suffered ACL injuries earlier in the campaign. Katie McCabe was also suspended after picking up five yellow cards.