Arsenal have been dealt a double injury blow during the international break, with both Chloe Kelly and Daphne van Domselaar returning to the club for treatment ahead of a crucial run of fixtures that includes a Champions League semi-final showdown with Lyon.
Kelly, who had been called up to represent England in their UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures against Belgium, sustained a foot injury during training and was subsequently withdrawn from contention for both matches.
She had already been ruled out of the first fixture by Sarina Wiegman, but following further assessment, the decision was made to send her back to Arsenal.
“We expected it not to be too serious, but it is a short time until Tuesday, so we knew it would be tight,” Wiegman said. “We assessed her again and realised it would be too early. Hopefully, it will not take too long.”
An official statement from the club confirmed: “Chloe Kelly has returned to us for treatment on a foot injury and will not participate in England’s forthcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures against Belgium. Yesterday [Thursday] Sarina Wiegman confirmed Kelly’s withdrawal from tonight’s fixture and following further assessment, it has now been decided that she will return to us to aid her rehabilitation.”
Kelly’s injury comes at a pivotal point in Arsenal’s season. Renee Slegers’ side face Leicester City on 15 April before taking on Lyon across two legs in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals on 19 and 27 April.
The club’s injury list has also grown with the return of Daphnevan Domselaar, who injured her ankle late in the Netherlands’ 1–0 win over Austria on Friday. The goalkeeper fell awkwardly while diving for a shot and left the pitch in visible discomfort.
“I am able to walk on it so I don’t expect it is very serious,” van Domselaar told de Telegraaf, but she has been officially ruled out of the second leg of the Austria double-header.
