Arsenal’s Katie Reid Suffers ACL Injury, Affects Season and Team Dynamics

Arsenal Football Club has announced the unfortunate injury of Katie Reid, stating, “We can confirm that Katie Reid has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during a recent training session. Katie will undergo surgery in the coming days and is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. She made an impressive start to the season, featuring in seven matches and earning the Player of the Month award in September. Her outstanding performances led to her first call-up to the England senior squad in October. Our medical team at Sobha Realty Training Centre is providing her with close support, and everyone at Arsenal looks forward to her swift return to the pitch.”

This development adds to the growing concern over ACL injuries in women’s football. Reid marks the seventh player in the Women’s Super League (WSL) to face such an injury this season, and it is only November. Notable players, including Arsenal teammate Manuela Zinsberger, Lionesses star Michelle Agyemang, and Tottenham’s Maite Oroz, have also suffered long-term setbacks due to ACL injuries. Reid’s Arsenal colleague, Beth Mead, has previously endured a similar injury, taking nearly a year to recover fully before returning to the game.

Reid’s injury comes amidst a period of notable success. The 19-year-old not only earned the Player of the Month honor for September but also received her initial call-up to Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad, although she later withdrew due to a minor injury. Unfortunately, she now faces a serious setback that will keep her off the field for an extended period.

Expressing her distress over the injury, Reid took to social media, stating, “I am devastated to share that I have ruptured my ACL. There have been many tears, and I am sure there will be many more, but I am extremely grateful for the love and support around me. The road to recovery starts now, and I’ll give my all to be back stronger.”

Reid’s friends and teammates have been quick to offer their encouragement. Alessio Russo commented, “The comeback will be incredible,” while Leah Williamson added, “You got this,” and Agyemang wrote, “With you all the way, my girl.”

The increasing occurrence of ACL injuries among female athletes has prompted FIFA to fund research exploring whether hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles contribute to this risk. Studies indicate that female footballers are two to six times more likely to sustain ACL injuries compared to their male counterparts. Simon Augustus, a senior lecturer in sport biomechanics at Kingston University, is investigating this correlation.

He explained to BBC Sport, “We want to examine whether athletes may be more predisposed to injuries due to functional changes in their anatomy and physiology during the menstrual cycle. While we know hormones fluctuate at different phases of the cycle, the extent of their influence on injury risk remains uncertain.

“Some injuries are unavoidable, but we are striving to assist those who experience ACL injuries outside of impact actions. We believe there may be opportunities to intervene and prevent these injuries through strength training and technique adjustments. Our research will take an individualized approach, assessing each athlete’s profile and implementing protocols to mitigate risk.”

With Reid’s absence, both Arsenal and the England national team must adapt as they navigate the remainder of the season. Currently, Arsenal sits fourth in the WSL table, trailing Manchester City by six points after eight matches. The upcoming week will be crucial, with a challenging away match against Bayern Munich in the Women’s Champions League, followed by a North London derby against Tottenham, and a home fixture against Real Madrid at Meadow Park.