Leah Williamson said she was “happy to be back” after nine months out injured as holders Arsenal hammered Reading in the Women’s League Cup.
She returned as a second-half substitute as Arsenal qualified for the quarter-finals as Group D winners.
“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, with 10 minutes remaining, played a long ball for Beth Mead to volley in the Gunners’ fifth goal.
“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.”
Caitlin Foord put Jonas Eidevall’s side on course for victory before a Stina Blackstenius first-half double.
Laia Codina added a fourth on 51 minutes, with Mead firing in from Williamson’s assist.
Blackstenius completed her hat-trick and sealed the win for Arsenal, who progressed to the last eight in style.
The five League Cup group winners go through to the quarter-finals alongside the best two runners-up.
They will be joined by Chelsea, who enter the tournament in the knockout stages because of their participation in the Champions League.
Line-ups
Reading Women
Formation 5-4-1
- 41Annets
- 11WadeSubstituted forJarvisat 85′minutes
- 16Mrs. Keith
- 6Smith
- 15Hendrix
- 28WoodhamSubstituted forRobertsat 68′minutes
- 24Longhurst
- 4Hussein
- 17EstcourtSubstituted forElwoodat 68′minutes
- 8PrimerBooked at 41minsSubstituted forHuntat 75′minutes
- 7WellingsSubstituted forPerryat 75′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Perry
- 20Wilson
- 21Hunt
- 22Elwood
- 23Jarvis
- 31Roberts
- 32Kennedy
Arsenal Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 14D’Angelo
- 15McCabeSubstituted forLittleat 71′minutes
- 5BeattieSubstituted forWilliamsonat 61′minutes
- 27codeine
- 7CatleyBooked at 88mins
- 21PelovaSubstituted forIlestedtat 71′minutes
- 32Cooney-Cross
- 24Lacasse
- 12MaanumSubstituted forEdemaat 79′minutes
- 19FordSubstituted forMeadat 60′minutes
- 25Blackstenius
Substitutes
- 1Zinsberger
- 2Fox
- 6Williamson
- 9Mead
- 10Little
- 11Edema
- 23Russo
- 28Ilestedt
- 40Williams
- Referee:
- Levi Gray
- Attendance:
- 3,784
Live Text
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Match ends, Reading Women 0, Arsenal Women 6.
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Second Half ends, Reading Women 0, Arsenal Women 6.
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Attempt saved. Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
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Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Halle Houssein.
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Attempt saved. Cloé Lacasse (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Steph Catley (Arsenal Women) is shown the yellow card.
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Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Amelia Elwood.
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Substitution, Reading Women. Lulu Jarvis replaces Lauren Wade.
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Goal! Reading Women 0, Arsenal Women 6. Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal.
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Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Bethan Roberts.
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Goal! Reading Women 0, Arsenal Women 5. Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Leah Williamson.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Vivianne Miedema replaces Frida Maanum.
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Attempt missed. Cloé Lacasse (Arsenal Women) header from very close range is too high.
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Substitution, Reading Women. Mae Hunt replaces Tia Primmer.
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Substitution, Reading Women. Madison Perry replaces Charlie Wellings.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Amanda Ilestedt replaces Victoria Pelova.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Kim Little replaces Katie McCabe.
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Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Eve Annets.
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Attempt saved. Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner.
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Substitution, Reading Women. Amelia Elwood replaces Charlie Estcourt.
