Jordan Nobbs’ injury is a huge blow for club and country

Arsenal and England attacking midfielder Jordan Nobbs could miss the Women’s World Cup next year after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during the 4-0 win over Everton on Sunday.

Nobbs has been in fine form this season, scoring eight of Arsenal’s 38 league goals. The Gunners still have an unbeaten winning record after eight games and Nobbs has been key to that excellent run.

With Kim Little out injured due to a broken leg, Nobbs had taken over the captaincy and was thriving as such a key member of the team. As soon as Nobbs went down in discomfort, following a challenge with Everton’s Chloe Kelly, it quickly dawned on Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro that he would be without another important player.

Arsenal now have Nobbs, Little and Viktoria Schnaderbeck, who was signed from Bayern Munich in the summer, out with injuries as their midfield options continue to decrease.

As well as Arsenal being affected, Nobbs is crucial to England and the Lionesses will be a weaker team without the vice-captain. Nobbs had cemented her place in the side and now faces a race against time to recover for the World Cup which starts in seven months on June 7.

There has been no timescale placed on Nobbs’ return but footballers who suffer ACL injuries are usually sidelined for between six and nine months, depending on the success of the surgery.

Nobbs wrote on social media: “I am heartbroken right now but I can’t thank the whole football world enough for their support and messages. I have been truly overwhelmed.”