Arsenal face mounting injury concerns ahead of season-defining run | OneFootball

The international break has not been kind to Arsenal players with it ending at least one’s season.

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As we enter the final stretch of the season, the international break has delivered unwelcome news for Arsenal, with several players returning to the club prematurely due to injury.

With six matches scheduled between April 15 and May 11, and a potential UEFA Women’s Champions League final on May 24, Arsenal will need close to a full squad available to maintain their pursuit of second place in the Women’s Super League and an historic run to the Champions League final.

Prior to the break, Laia Codina, Lotte Wubben-Moy, and Lina Hurtig were already sidelined.

Now, Chloe Kelly has returned to the club with a foot injury, while Alessia Russo has also withdrawn following a knock sustained in England’s match against Belgium.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar has returned for rehabilitation from an ankle injury. According to Arseblog, she is expected to be out for five to six weeks—effectively ruling her out for the rest of the club season, though allowing sufficient time to prepare for Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

Losing up to six players—especially in crucial positions such as goalkeeper and striker—poses a serious challenge to Renee Sleger’s plans at a critical stage of the season. Despite having a 25-player squad, which would leave 19 players fit and available, rotation would inevitably be affected and player workload could become unsustainable.

Van Domselaar’s absence leaves Arsenal with two available goalkeepers: Manuela Zinsberger and academy graduate Naomi Williams.

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Should either become unavailable, Arsenal would have to request an emergency loan under FA WSL Rule 6.4.4, which states:

Once approved by the FA, Arsenal would also be permitted to register the emergency goalkeeper with UEFA, under Rule 31.14 of the competition regulations:

The practical issue now becomes identifying who might be available on such short notice to step in—whether as a starter or a backup—under the emergency provisions.

The hope at London Colney will be twofold: that no further players return injured from international duty, and that those already out—especially in outfield positions—recover in time for the April 15 clash with Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium.