According to a report by Football London on Sunday November 1, 2026, Arsenal defender Katie Reid has suffered another injury setback, delaying her return after a lengthy absence caused by a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained previously.

The 20-year-old had recently returned to training with her teammates, raising hopes of progressing towards competitive action. However, an ankle injury has disrupted her recovery, forcing Arsenal to reconsider their expectations for her comeback.

Manager Renée Slegers confirmed that Reid is unlikely to return before Christmas. Speaking ahead of Arsenal's match against Aston Villa, she expressed disappointment about the latest development affecting the young defender's rehabilitation.

Slegers explained that Reid had resumed full team training before suffering the ankle problem. Consequently, the defender must wait longer before returning to action following her previous lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Arsenal received encouraging news regarding several other players recovering from injuries. Kim Little returned to action in the Champions League, providing a welcome boost to the squad ahead of upcoming fixtures.

Frida Maanum could also return soon, with Slegers suggesting she might become available for the upcoming match. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar is progressing positively, although the weekend fixture could arrive too early.

Chloe Kelly remains unavailable as Arsenal continue monitoring her persistent hamstring problem. The winger recently attended a specialist appointment, but the club cannot yet establish a definite recovery date for her return.

Slegers explained that Kelly's situation requires daily assessment, with medical staff monitoring her symptoms and determining which activities she can safely undertake. Consequently, she will miss the weekend's fixture.

Reid's latest setback is particularly disappointing because she had already worked extensively to recover from her ACL injury. Her return to team training represented important progress after approximately a year away from competitive football.

Arsenal will now prioritise her recovery, carefully managing the ankle injury before determining when she can resume training. Further assessments should help establish the necessary rehabilitation steps before her eventual return.

The club will continue preparing for upcoming matches while monitoring injured players. Although Reid faces a longer wait, Arsenal will hope she can recover successfully and return after Christmas without further complications.