New Year Accolades for Arsenal Women Stars

Arsenal Women may not be back in action until January 15, but four Gunners players have plenty to celebrate on New Year’s Eve.

Euro 2022 winners Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, along with Scottish pair Kim Little and Jen Beattie, have all been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

After captaining the history-making Lionesses to Euro glory in the summer, Williamson has been awarded an OBE for services to football.

The Arsenal fan favourite spent seven years in the club’s youth setup after a move from Rushden & Diamonds’ centre of excellence, going on to make over 100 appearances for the Gunners at senior level.

Williamson was made permanent captain by Sarina Wiegman on the eve of the European Championships, going on to have an outstanding tournament in midfield and becoming a national hero.

Talking of national heroes, just ten days on from becoming the first female footballer to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Beth Mead has capped off a stunning year by receiving an MBE.

Mead was player of the tournament and top scorer in the Euros after a sensational season with Arsenal, and the Gunners’ current title charge has suffered a notable blow after her recent ACL injury.

Club captain Kim Little will also receive an MBE for services to football.

The 32 year-old Scot’s dedication to the game meant that Little decided to spend her summer in the United States, playing six games in the NWSL on loan with OL Reign to make up for a lack of international football after the end of the English season. Little has been instrumental in 2022-23 so far, including an outstanding display in a 4-0 win over Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.

The final Arsenal Women recipient of an Honour is the inspirational Jen Beattie, who has been honoured for services to football and charity.

Beattie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and took to social media today to thank “My friends, my family, doctors and nurses, and my footballing family”. The Scot has campaigned for breast cancer screening after making a full recovery, supporting charities and raising awareness alongside her football.

It’s the perfect end to 2022 for these four Gunners.

Arsenal added in a statement: 

"On behalf of everyone at Arsenal Football Club, we congratulate our players past and present on being named in the New Year Honours List 2023. We are so proud of their achievements, both on and off the pitch.

“Our four current players - Jen, Kim, Beth and Leah, have all played such an important role in the incredible growth of the women’s game in recent seasons. They have been a huge part of our continued challenge for honours at the top of the game, whilst at the same time have also made massive contributions to their national teams. We are so proud of them all."