Arsenal women hit by fourth ACL injury of the season

Arsenal's Austria defender Laura Wienroither is the latest player in the women's game to rupture an anterior cruciate ligament after the club confirmed her injury.

Wienroither, 24, sustained the injury in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final defeat by Wolfsburg on Monday.

She is the fourth Arsenal player to rupture an ACL this season after England captain Leah Williamson, England forward Beth Mead and Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema.

Spain's Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, Simone Magill of Northern Ireland and France striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto have also damaged ACLs in the past year.

Recovering from ACL surgery can take up to a year.

Studies have found women in sports that involve sudden deceleration or changing direction such as soccer are up to six times more likely to suffer an ACL injury than men.

The prevalence of injuries in women's soccer in recent times has led to calls for better research.

Canada and Portland Thorns forward Janine Beckie said last month that alarm bells would ring if their male counterparts were suffering the same fate.