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Arsenal and England captain Leah Williamson was in a thoughtful mood as she penned her new contract at the club she has called home for 20 years.

Each time Williamson steps out of the Emirates dressing room, her eyes catch a photograph on the wall — a pre-match huddle capturing her and her teammates. It reminds her that what she feels for Arsenal goes beyond the game; it’s emotion and belonging. As she leaves the stadium, she often passes a mural declaring, “Arsenal is a feeling.”

For Williamson, Arsenal represents more than emotion — it embodies joy, accountability, and community. It’s this bond that led her to sign a new deal with the club, extending her long-standing association. Speaking at the Emirates last week, she discussed the evolution of women’s football, her admiration for Dutch coaches, the potential for women managing men’s teams, and her desire to use her platform for positive change.

She also highlighted the growing connection between Arsenal’s men’s and women’s squads, recalling her conversations with Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Eberechi Eze. But she began with her love for the club.

“When we’re here, in the tunnel or in the changing room, a lot of the imagery now features both the men’s and women’s teams,” she said. “It’s both our home stadiums.”

There’s a photo in the dressing room showing huddles from both teams. “I get goosebumps in our team huddle,” she added. “At that point, it’s about performance and professionalism, but those goosebumps come from the feeling. I carry that with me.”

Williamson’s connection to Arsenal runs deep. She joined the club’s Centre of Excellence at nine in 2006, made her senior debut at 17, and has since lifted nine trophies. She was awarded a CBE in the 2026 New Year Honours after leading England to another Euros final and helping Arsenal to Champions League success. “I’ve been here 20 years,” she reflected. “Normally, I’d say no one should stay in one place that long, but walking away from something that feels this right would be a mistake.”

She continued, “It’s the people, the values. When signing my contract, what weighed on my mind most was how much I care about everyone here — the stewards, security guards, and the man at the gate. I want to give that love back.”

For her, Arsenal represents principles as much as feelings. “People always say Arsenal do things the right way — it’s about pride, community, and fairness. That’s what I’ve felt since I first stepped into Highbury. This club is another family for me, and my own family has been welcomed into it.” She laughs, “Even my dad, who supports Spurs, isn’t outcast!”

She admits the emotional stakes of her role are high. “It’s a demanding job with many uncontrollable factors. I try to turn that emotion into something positive.”

Williamson credits Arsène Wenger’s era for shaping her love of beautiful football. “I think that’s where my appreciation for style and substance came from.” But she’s also learned to balance emotion with focus. Reflecting on Arsenal’s narrow Champions League final win over Barcelona, she said, “That was tough. I had to create mental cues with my centre-half partner Steph Catley to detach from the emotion when needed.”

“Emotion can be a strength, but it can also overwhelm you. I’ve worked hard to manage that. I used to struggle with performance anxiety due to pressure, but I learned to channel it so that I could truly enjoy the experience.”

Her playing style mirrors her personality — measured, precise, and intelligent. “I’ve always been taught not to dive in unnecessarily. My game is about timing and awareness. I don’t want to waste a moment here — I’m living the dream. The challenge is balancing feeling and performance.”

Williamson’s mantra, “Dream Big,” was inspired by Arsenal legend Kelly Smith, who signed a photo with those words when Williamson was a young mascot in 2007. “My goal was to make the first team before Kelly retired — and I did,” she said. “Now she’s my coach and friend. Because of her, I write ‘Dream Big’ for fans. I even asked her if I needed permission to use it!”

Beyond football, Williamson is a passionate advocate for equality. She has spoken at the United Nations about empowering girls through sport and has urged politicians to improve access to physical education for girls. She famously wore a rainbow armband at the 2022 Euros. “I feel a responsibility to speak up for what I believe in,” she said. “I was raised to stand up for those without a voice.”

Williamson acknowledges the sacrifices of earlier generations of players. “That’s why I’m uncomfortable with fame. But I know visibility matters — seeing someone like me can inspire others.”

She cites author Glennon Doyle as an influence, particularly Doyle’s belief that using your voice for others makes you part of progress. “We’re all raised on love and kindness — that’s the path I want to stay on.”

She’s critical of social media negativity. “Football reflects society. People waste so much energy on hate. Even during the Lionesses’ 2022 triumph, some compliments were faintly patronising — like, ‘I don’t usually watch women’s football, but that was brilliant.’ Still, the joy and gratitude from fans outweighed everything.”

Looking out across the Emirates pitch, she smiled. “Every time we play here, it feels like a celebration.”

Arsenal have been pioneers in women’s football, now hosting all WSL matches at the Emirates with average attendances of 36,000 — numbers that would rank mid-table in the Premier League. Former CEO Vinai Venkatesham, now with Spurs, was instrumental in achieving this. “Vinai worked really hard to get us playing here,” Williamson said. “We still have battles, but the club takes us seriously.”

She’s proud of Arsenal’s journey since its founding in 1987. “It started as a community-run project and is now one of the world’s biggest women’s teams.” She praised the club’s investment and innovative ticketing strategies but added with determination, “We’re the most decorated Women’s FA Cup team with 14 titles, but it’s been 10 years since we last won. I want to change that.”

Music also plays a role in her story. Her grandfather was in a 1960s band called The Good Time Losers, who had a Top 40 hit, “Trafalgar Square” — a song title she has tattooed. “That’s also where the Lionesses celebrated our Euros win in 2022. Good Time Winners,” she joked. “I also have a Pink Floyd picture at home — my granddad supported them on tour.”

Williamson bristles when comparisons are made between the men’s and women’s teams. “It frustrates me when people pit us against each other. We play different tournaments. I wanted the men to win Euro 2020 as much as anyone. Our Euros success in 2022 had its own meaning — it was historic.”

She enjoys her interactions with Arsenal’s men’s team. “We often train or hit the gym at the same time. I chat with Declan, Bukayo, and Ebs — not just about football, but life. There’s mutual respect as athletes.”

Williamson currently plays under Dutch coaches Renée Slegers at Arsenal and Sarina Wiegman with England. “They’ve brought me so much joy. They’re straightforward, calm, and care for us as people. Being women gives them a unique understanding of our game.” She believes women managing men’s teams is inevitable. “It’s all about unconscious bias. A woman will have to overachieve first, but yes, it will happen. Leadership isn’t about gender.”

On diversity, she is candid. “We’re 100% lacking diversity in women’s football. There are barriers — cultural, financial, logistical. When I was younger, some teammates quit because travel costs were too high. It’s wrong, and we’re missing out on talent.” She notes that the FA is taking steps to address this issue.

Asked whether she prefers Leah the Footballer or Leah the Person, she pauses. “Probably Leah the Person. I’ll always be proud of what Leah the Footballer achieved, but I know who I am beyond the game. Four years ago, I’d have said the footballer had work to do. Now, I’ve found the balance. My only rule — no ‘what ifs.’”

Now firmly rooted at Arsenal, Williamson knows exactly what drives her. “I don’t need to hype myself up anymore. I know what I’m playing for and why. I’ve chosen to stay — this is my life. I know why I’m here.”

The feeling — it’s what defines Leah Williamson and her enduring bond with Arsenal.