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The next Leah Williamson! Why Arsenal have turned to teenager Katie Reid to cover for the injured Lionesses captain

When it was revealed that Leah Williamson would miss the start of the new Women's Super League season, most assumed Lotte Wubben-Moy or Laia Codina would take her place in the heart of Arsenal's defence. Wubben-Moy came into the campaign fresh off the back of a new contract and a role in England's Euro 2025 triumph, while Codina's status as a key starter in Spain's World Cup win in 2023 tells you the level she can reach. And yet, both have been usurped by 18-year-old Katie Reid.

Chelsea player ratings vs Bayern Munich: Cole Palmer can't do it all! Errors from Trevoh Chalobah & Moises Caicedo prove costly on Blues' Champions League return

Chelsea endured a disappointing return to the Champions League as they succumbed to a Harry Kane double in a 3-1 loss at Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening. The Blues - competing in Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 2022-23 - played well for large spells but they could not build on Cole Palmer’s brilliant first-half strike as the German champions emerged victorious at the Allianz Arena.

Liverpool player ratings vs Atletico Madrid: Virgil van Dijk, you hero! Reds score ANOTHER stoppage-time winner as Alexander Isak makes debut in chaotic Champions League opener

Liverpool have only gone and done it again! For the fifth game in a row, the relentless Reds managed to win a game that appeared destined to end in a draw by netting a late winner. This time, captain Virgil van Dijk was Liverpool's hero, heading home a 92nd-minute corner from Dominik Szoboszlai to earn his side a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

Bayern Munich player ratings vs Chelsea: Harry Kane haunts his old rivals! Brace from England captain and magical Michael Olise see German giants to opening Champions League win

Bayern Munich beat Chelsea 3-1 in a breathless, end-to-end Champions League thriller on Wednesday evening. The Bavarians, against the run of play, had the lead after 20 minutes. Michael Olise fronted up Joao Pedro in his own box and beat him with his rapid feet before crossing into the six-yard box, where Trevoh Chalobah inadvertently turned the ball into his own goal.

Exclusive: Man Utd's Gabby George opens up on 'one of the hardest times' of her career, Sarina Wiegman's England advice & why representing the Red Devils makes her count her 'lucky stars'

It’s well-known at this point that despite winning back-to-back European Championship titles and reaching a World Cup final in between, England’s Lionesses have a problem at left-back. There’s a real lack of options for Sarina Wiegman in the position and shoehorning players into it hasn’t helped much either - leaving many wondering just what Gabby George has to do to get her chance.

How Nicolas Jackson's Chelsea dream turned into a nightmare after bizarre contract extension – with Bayern Munich loanee out for Champions League revenge against his parent club

The most tantalising fixture on matchday one of the new Champions League season comes from the Allianz Arena, where kings of Germany Bayern Munich play host to Club World Cup winners Chelsea. These two teams have history - this will be the Blues' first trip back to Bavaria since lifting their first European Cup there in 2012 - but there is an extremely contemporary entity now linking them.

Inter Miami player ratings vs. Seattle Sounders: Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba team up to send message after Leagues Cup loss

Inter Miami had won just once in their last four games, but Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba made sure that skid didn’t extend, combining to lead an emphatic 3-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday night. Billed as a Leagues Cup final rematch, the Herons looked intent on sending a message after being blanked in back-to-back games for the first time in Messi's tenure.

Real Madrid player ratings vs Marseille: Kylian Mbappe keeps his cool as 10-man Blancos are bailed out by highly contentious handball call after Dani Carvajal's moment of complete madness

Kylian Mbappe buried two penalties to overcome a fine finish from Tim Weah as Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a narrow 2-1 win over Marseille. It was a rather mixed night from Los Blancos, who lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to injury and saw Dani Carvajal sent off, but managed to snag a late win in their search for Champions League redemption.

Tottenham player ratings vs Villarreal: Spurs get away with it! Calamitous own goal settles Champions League return as Thomas Frank's side survive scintillating threat of ex-Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe

Tottenham opened their 2025-26 Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory at home to Villarreal, but they didn't have things their own way as they edged to a narrow opening-night win. Thomas Frank made his debut as a coach in Europe's top club competition and will be relieved that his side took the three points, but he will know there is work to do if they are to progress from the league phase.