"I was having a tough time, but Renee has opened me up and got me back to my best"

There was a time when Leah Williamson used to occasionally visit a psychic. It started when a member of her family was going to see one and everyone, including Williamson, ended up going along.

- SIMON COLLINGS

Over the years, the Arsenal defender carried on going. Williamson did not take what she heard as “gospel”, but there was a value in it. When searching for answers during painful moments, like the knee injury that kept her out of the World Cup nearly two years ago, some solace could be found in the thought that some things are out of your control.

“I kept it up for a couple of years, because I just thought, why not,” says Williamson. “It’s not something that I think about, but if you ever just need to tap into something or you are searching for a reason … like my ACL when it happened, do you start going, why? Do you start digging into it or do you just trust that there is a plan?

“It’s not a comfort blanket, but it’s just what will be, will be. Some things are just going to happen and some things you can have an impact on. And, if you don’t like something, then do something about it.”

Fresh start

It has been a while since Williamson has visited the psychic and she laughs when asking if anyone has any new recommendations, given this one has left her “high and dry” by moving away.

Williamson’s happiness sums up the mood at Arsenal right now, who go into Sunday’s clash with reigning Women’s Super League champions Chelsea riding the crest of a wave. Head coach Renee Slegers, who was handed the job permanently last Friday after a spell as interim boss, has galvanised the team. Arsenal have won 12 of their 13 games under her, drawing the other one.