Leah Williamson made a welcome return to the Arsenal team on Wednesday evening as the Gunners routed Reading 6-0 in the Women's League Cup.

Jonas Eidevall's side qualified for the quarter-finals as Group D winners after Stina Blackstenius' hattrick. 

Caitlin Foord opened the scoring prior Blackstenius' first-half double. Laia Codina added a fourth six minutes after the interval, with Beth Mead firing in from substitute Williamson's assist.

Blackstenius completed her hat-trick and sealed the win for Arsenal, who progressed to the last eight in fine style. 

Speaking after the match, Williamson said she was "happy to be back" after nine months out injured after sustaining an ACL injury during the clash against Manchester United at Leigh last April. 

"It was lovely," she told Sky Sports. "You think a lot about how that moment is going to be and it was perfect."

The defender replaced Jen Beattie on 61 minutes and, on 80 minutes, played a long ball for Mead to fire in for 5-0.

"It's been a long journey but it has gone really quickly," Williamson added.

"The girls I've had around me - it's special. Special people get you through tough times.

"I love playing for Arsenal. I'm happy to be back and [will] try to help my team."

Player Ratings: 

D'Angelo: 7/10

McCabe" 7/10 (Little 71 - 7/10)

Beattie: 7.5 (Williamson 61 - 10/10)

Codina: 7.5

Catley: 7.5

Pelova: 7/10 (Ilestedt 71 - 7/10)

Cooney-Cross: 7/10

Lacasse: 7/10

Maanum: 7/10 (Miedema 79)

Foord: 7.5/10 (Mead 60 - 7.5/10)

Blackstenius: 8/10