According to a report by Football London on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Arsenal defender Katie Reid has suffered another injury setback that is expected to delay her return to competitive football. The 20-year-old has been recovering from a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but a new ankle problem has complicated her rehabilitation and extended her absence.

There had been growing optimism that Reid was close to returning to full training with her teammates after spending several months working towards regaining her fitness. However, the latest injury has forced Arsenal to reconsider their initial expectations regarding her availability.

Arsenal manager Renée Slegers confirmed that the young defender is unlikely to return before Christmas. Speaking ahead of the club's fixture against Aston Villa, Slegers expressed her disappointment over the latest development, particularly because Reid had made considerable progress following her lengthy absence.

The manager explained that Reid had already returned to full team training before sustaining the ankle injury. This means the defender must now deal with another interruption after working hard to overcome her previous setback.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have received some encouraging updates regarding other injured members of the squad. Kim Little has successfully returned to action in the Champions League, providing an important boost to the team as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures.

Frida Maanum is also making progress, with Slegers suggesting that the midfielder could become available for the next match. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar is improving as well, although her return this weekend could come too early.

However, Chloe Kelly remains unavailable because of a hamstring problem. The winger recently visited a specialist, but Arsenal are still unable to establish a definite return date. Slegers explained that medical staff must assess her condition daily to determine how her recovery is progressing and what activities she can safely undertake. Consequently, she will miss the weekend fixture.

Reid's latest setback is particularly disappointing considering the progress she had achieved after approximately a year away from competitive football. Arsenal will now prioritise her recovery, conduct further medical assessments and establish an appropriate rehabilitation programme.

The club will continue monitoring its injured players as the season progresses. Although Reid's absence is expected to extend beyond the original timeline, Arsenal will hope she can return after Christmas without experiencing further complications.