Leah Williamson returned from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury to feature for Arsenal Women in their 6-0 win away to Reading in the Conti Cup.

The England captain came off the bench in the second half to replace Jen Beattie, marking her return after nine months out injured by assisting Beth Mead, playing a long ball in behind which was volleyed home by the forward.

Leah Williamson returned from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury to feature for Arsenal Women in their 6-0 win away to Reading in the Conti Cup.

The England captain came off the bench in the second half to replace Jen Beattie, marking her return after nine months out injured by assisting Beth Mead, playing a long ball in behind which was volleyed home by the forward.

Williamson ruptured her ACL in Arsenal’s defeat at Manchester United in April 2023, and missed the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Arsenal’s win over Reading saw the Gunners top Group D and progress to the quarter-finals of the Conti Cup.

Caitlin Foord gave Arsenal the lead before Stina Blackstenius netted twice in the first half.

Laia Codina scored her first goal for the Gunners before Mead’s emphatic finish, with Blackstenius completing her hat-trick to net Arsenal’s sixth.

Laura Wienroither telling Arsenal fans the score just seconds before Stina makes it 6-0. pic.twitter.com/oseJHYE5BX

— Adam Salter (@AdamSalter4) January 25, 2024

Arsenal captain Kim Little also came off the bench after a foot injury, and marked her 300th appearance for the Gunners.

Jonas Eidevall's side will look to continue their winning start to 2024 on Sunday when Arsenal travel to Prenton Park to face Liverpool, who beat the Gunners on the opening day of the season.