Arsenal defender Laura Wienroither has become the fourth player from the club to suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury this season. The 24-year-old Austria international was carried off on a stretcher in Monday’s Champions League second-leg semi-final defeat by Wolfsburg, joining Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema who have all suffered the same injury.
Wienroither expressed her sadness at not being able to play with her team, saying, “I’m going to miss every single second of not being on the pitch with this special team. I’ll fight like hell to return as soon as I’m ready to get back to following my dream in red and white. Until that time, I’m Arsenal and Austria’s biggest fan. I’m so proud to be a part of this group and to share experiences with these girls – on and off the pitch.”
Miedema, who ruptured her ACL in December, shared a message of support for her fellow injured team-mates on Instagram, saying “At least we will all be in the gym together. PS the ACL group is full now. Please no more.”
Recovery from an ACL injury can take up to a year, and Arsenal have said that Wienroither, who joined from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in January 2022, will have surgery in “due course”. The Gunners are currently fourth in the Women’s Super League, with the top three qualifying for the Champions League, and five games remaining.