Leah Williamson Reflects on the Growth of Women’s Football
Leah Williamson, the captain of the England women’s football team and a lifelong Arsenal player, has shared her thoughts on the rapid evolution of women’s football and its impact on her career. Speaking to 90min, Leah Williamson discussed the exponential growth of the sport and her pride in being part of a transformative era.
Rising Through the Ranks at Arsenal
Leah Williamson’s journey with Arsenal began at the tender age of six. Growing up as a dedicated Gunner, she progressed through the club’s academy system and is now one of its standout players. Reflecting on her time at Arsenal, she admitted that the popularity of women’s football has soared beyond her wildest dreams, particularly following England’s historic Euro 2022 victory.
“I don’t think anybody could have predicted it or not at the rate at which it’s happened,” said Leah Williamson. “I’m very proud to be at Arsenal. I think the way that they’ve handled the changes and the support that they’ve given to us, I think we’re very lucky with the people that we have in place in the hierarchy of the club, and how they’ve managed our transition as an individual club.”
The Impact of Euro 2022
Leah Williamson acknowledged the pivotal role England’s Euro 2022 win played in propelling women’s football into the spotlight. “What it did for women’s football in general, the Euro 22 win is why people still keep talking about it. It maybe wouldn’t have happened in the way it has, if we didn’t [win]. So, I’m very grateful to be a part of this generation.”
Childhood Dreams vs. Reality
During her punditry stint at the Premier League’s North London derby, Leah Williamson reflected on how far her journey has come. When asked if she ever envisioned herself representing Arsenal as a member of the women’s team, she responded candidly: “I didn’t think it was possible. I was prepared to sit in my season ticket seats for the rest of my life.”
Leah Williamson also praised Arsenal for their long-standing commitment to women’s football. “I feel like the men’s side here has always respected the fact that we’ve had a women’s team. Arsenal led the way on that for a long time.”
Arsenal’s Unique Position
Williamson expressed gratitude for Arsenal’s holistic approach to integrating the women’s team into the club’s fabric. “I think the way that it’s been done at Arsenal, there are things that we’ll still have discussions on, things that the women’s team has never needed before, because we haven’t had this many staff, this many players. It surprises me sometimes how good of a position we are in with the relationship we have with the men’s team.”
This unity, Williamson explained, makes her feel a deep connection with both sides of the club. “Even with the boys, I don’t feel uncomfortable speaking about them, because we are a club. It’s almost like speaking about my own team, in a sense.”
Arsenal’s Academy Prospects
Mentorship and Tough Love
As an academy graduate herself, Williamson takes pride in mentoring young players. Arsenal’s recent signings of Laila Harbart, Maddy Earl, and Vivienne Lia highlight the club’s commitment to nurturing talent. Williamson, however, admitted that she is particularly tough on academy players.
“I don’t feel the need for any niceties because they know what I think,” she said. “I’m so happy that they’ve come through. I think they all deserve it and I think they’ve worked really hard, which I care about most. If you come through Arsenal, you obviously have talent, but the way that they’ve all conducted themselves, they know I’m proud of them for that.”
Remembering the Journey of Women’s Football
Williamson emphasized the importance of understanding the history of women’s football. “It’s good to know where we came from,” she said, recounting the struggles faced by earlier generations of players.
“I tell them that they’re so lucky, and I’m so happy for you, but you’ve got teammates that used to work two jobs. So enjoy everything that you have, but don’t waste it. I don’t want them to not have it, I just want them to use every aspect of it that they have. They should end up being ten times better footballers than the people that we are today because of the support that they now have.”
Conclusion: A Grateful Perspective
Leah Williamson’s reflections underscore her deep appreciation for the progress of women’s football and her role within it. As she continues to inspire the next generation of players at Arsenal, her commitment to preserving the legacy of the game’s pioneers remains unwavering. For Williamson, being part of this transformative era is not just a privilege but a responsibility to ensure that the momentum of women’s football continues to grow.
