We decided to examine 12 of Leah Williamson’s greatest moments over the previous 12 years after she signed a new contract with Arsenal!
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
At the age of 17, Leah made her senior debut for us, taking Rachel Yankey’s place during a 2-0 Champions League quarterfinal loss to Birmingham City. For Leah, who had attended our academy for the previous seven years, the defeat was disappointing but also a proud event.
See Rachel and Leah’s reflection on their debut in the interview we produced three years ago to commemorate the latter’s 200th appearance!
THE FIRST TASTE OF SUCCESS
Arsenal 2-0 Everton | 2014 FA Women’s Cup Final
Leah relished winning her first FA Cup final in 2014, replacing Jade Bailey in the 76th minute as we defeated Everton 2-0 at Stadium MK.
For the third time in our history, Kelly Smith and Yukari Kinga scored goals as our men’s team won an FA Cup double (also in 1993 and 1998).
Leah, who was raised in Milton Keynes, was also returning home!
Leah made an impression in that campaign’s opening 2-0 victory against Gillingham at home in the fifth round, which was followed by a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City in the quarterfinals and a thrilling 5-3 victory over Chelsea on the road following extra time in the semifinals.
Acknowledgment of the League Cup
Leah was voted the competition’s Player of the Year despite the fact that we lost the 2014 FA WSL Continental Cup final to Manchester City.
We finished second in the standings, tied with Chelsea on points but behind them on goal differential after four victories and one loss in the group stage. We then defeated Notts County 2-0 in the semifinals.
In one of those group matches, Leah scored in a 4-0 victory over Millwall on the road.
The future is promising.
Just one year after making her WSL debut, Leah won the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award in 2015 after establishing herself as a key member of Pedro Martinez Losa’s first team.
She declared, “I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m really humbled because it’s incredible to be acknowledged by other players.
“It’s taken a lot of work since I started playing football, but this is my first full season with the first team, so you have to try to make an impact, make yourself known, and give it everything you’ve got.”
ADDITIONAL FA CUP GLORY
Just one year after making her WSL debut, Leah won the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award in 2015 after establishing herself as a key member of Pedro Martinez Losa’s first team.
She declared, “I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m really humbled because it’s incredible to be acknowledged by other players.
“It’s taken a lot of work since I started playing football, but this is my first full season with the first team, so you have to try to make an impact, make yourself known, and give it everything you’ve got.”
ADDITIONAL FA CUP GLORY
2016 FA Women’s Cup Final: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
In 2016, Leah assisted us in winning another FA Cup trophy when we defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley Stadium in the championship game, which was scored by Danielle Carter.
We tied 1-1 with Birmingham City in the fifth round before winning 5-3 on penalties, drew 2-2 with Notts County in the quarterfinals before winning 4-3 on penalties, and then defeated Sunderland 7-0 in the semi-finals without a response. It had been an exciting journey to the final.
EVERYTHING
Highlights of Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City in the Continental Cup
Leah played every minute of our League Cup-winning season in 2017–18. This began with a convincing 7-0 victory against London Bees at home, which was followed by a 5-2 triumph over Millwall Lionesses on the road. We lost to Reading 2-1 at home before hitting Watford for six to finish second in Group One South and move on to the knockout stages.
We defeated Sunderland 3-1 in the quarterfinals, exacted revenge on Reading 3-2 in the semifinals, and defeated Man City 1-0 in the championship game.
LAST LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
As we won the 2018–19 WSL trophy, Leah joined a team that won a league championship for the first time in her career.
Only Vivianne Miedema and Katie McCabe played more topflight games (both 20) than our center-back, who made 19 league outings (27 in all competitions).
Leah helped us keep 12 clean sheets as we won 18 games and finished seven points ahead of second-place Man City to win the league that season.
RETURNING TO WINNING METHODS
Highlights | Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal Women
After four years without a trophy, the 2022–2023 League Cup was the next trophy in our cabinet thanks to a 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the final away at Selhurst Park, where Leah spent ninety minutes. That day, Niamh Charles scored an own goal in addition to goals from Kim Little and Stina Blackstenius.
Leah also participated in the quarterfinals, playing 67 minutes of our 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at home, and the semi-finals, playing 82 minutes as we defeated Man City 1-0 at home.
A LONG-ANTICIPATED RETURN
Highlights: Arsenal Women’s Reading 0–6
In April 2023, Leah had an ACL injury that would prevent her from competing in the World Cup that summer. On January 21, 2024, she underwent surgery and made her comeback in a 6-0 League Cup victory over Reading.
She didn’t take long to return, finishing the show with a luxurious assist for Beth Mead, who effortlessly volleyed home.
From back to back
Highlights | Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal Women (AET)
In 2023–2024, we won the League Cup once more, defeating Chelsea 1-0 at Molineux Stadium in extra time after defeating Aston Villa and London City Lionesses 4-0 in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
The best was still to come—yet another trophy to share with Kim Little!
Champions of Europe
“They made my dreams come true,” said Leah.
There isn’t much better than this one! When Leah won the UEFA Women’s Champions League at the end of the 2024–2025 season after defeating Barcelona in the final, her amazing journey at Arsenal reached a big high.
That season, Leah played 13 games for us in Europe, including significant knockout wins over Lyon and Real Madrid.
“I’m very, very happy,” Leah remarked following Barcelona’s victory. After observing Barca’s strengths, we promised to respect them, and we did. We simply knew what we needed to do to win, and we succeeded. Nobody would make a mistake.
“We played some beautiful football when we had the time, the goal, and the play to the corner. Thus, I believe that being Arsenal today makes me really proud.
The world’s champions
