Agyemang latest Women's ACL casualty

Today it was announced that Lioness Michelle Agyemang has suffered a devastating ACL injury, which serves as another heartbreaking, high-profile example that this epidemic in women's football is far from over.

​The 19-year-old Arsenal striker, who is on loan at Brighton and Hove Albion, was stretchered off in tears after a non-contact incident while playing for England against Australia this week. Her season is now officially over, underscoring the relentless nature of this injury crisis.

​Agyemang joins an ever-growing list of players whose careers have been stalled by this injury. Even as the Women's Super League (WSL) continues to professionalise and gain popularity, the rate of ACL injuries remains frighteningly high, snatching players away from the pitch for nine to twelve months or more.

​Since the start of the 25/26 season there have already been several significant ACL ruptures affecting WSL clubs, demonstrating the pressure on player welfare:

Other current known ACL injuries in the 2025/26 WSL season:

• Maite Oroz (Tottenham): The midfielder ruptured her right ACL during a League Cup match on October 19, 2025.

• Sophie Ingle (Chelsea): The Wales captain suffered an ACL injury in a preseason friendly against Feyenoord.

• Manuela Zinsberger (Arsenal): The goalkeeper tore her ACL during a training session in late October and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

• Marie Höbinger and Sophie Román Haug (Liverpool): Both players are set to miss significant time with ACL injuries.

• Mary Fowler (Manchester City): While this injury occurred in April 2025, she was still recovering at the start of the 2025/26 season. 

​Michelle Agyemang's injury is particularly symbolic. She was a rising star for the Lionesses, instrumental in their Euro 2025 success, and enjoying a strong loan spell in the WSL. Her diagnosis means not only will she be sidelined for the entirety of the domestic season, but it also deprives England of a key attacking talent as they navigate their own schedule.

​The tragedy of her case, coming just as she was building significant momentum, reflects the wider crisis:

​"The timing of this injury is such a cruel blow. Agyemang has been a regular starter for the Seagulls... But the 19-year-old will now have to go through the lengthy recovery process, with an unknown return date."

Clubs such as Arsenal, who already have had captain Leah Williamson and Beth Mead recovering from previous ACL injuries, teams face immense challenges in player recruitment and workload management to continue their seasons. Clubs such as Portsmouth women's football club recently had to forfeit their match as they could not field a team due to injuries.

​The constant flow of ACL injuries in the WSL and international women's football acts as a painful, weekly reminder that urgent scientific and financial investment is needed to protect these elite athletes.