Leah Williamson

Vice-captain Leah overcame some early-season niggles to enjoy a consistent, injury-free run in the team and, having by her own admission struggled to reach full fitness following her return from the ACL injury she suffered in April 2023, was in colossal form by the time the Gunners beat Barcelona to lift the UEFA Champions League.

The tall, elegant defender, who is known for her ability to play defence-splitting passes as well as command her own penalty area, had captained England to glory at Euro 2022 and lifted the League Cup with Arsenal before suffering the greatest injury setback of her career, but she returned in January 2024 in time to lift the League Cup again that March.

The cultured centre back, who has also featured in midfield for club and country, joined Arsenal at the age of eight and made her debut as long ago as 2014, winning eight major honours with the club. Leah made her England debut in 2018 and succeeded Steph Houghton as skipper in 2021. Having led the Lionesses to success at Euro 2022, she made her comeback in a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in April 2024 and captained England again at Euro 2025.