Arsenal fans and players have rallied round their absent Matildas star Kyra Cooney-Cross, offering the midfielder a heartfelt show of support at the Emirates Stadium amid her family plight back home in Australia.
Cooney-Cross had revealed during the week that she'd rushed back to be with her mother, who's in hospital in Queensland having been diagnosed with cancer.
"A few days ago, our world changed forever," the 23-year-old had written. "My amazing mum, Jess, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). It's a rare and aggressive cancer, and there is no cure."
The news prompted a show of emotional support from her teammates, including fellow Matildas Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord, with the whole Arsenal squad warming up on Saturday in shirts bearing her name and her No.32 before the first match after the WSL winter break against Manchester United.
The match, which ended as a goalless draw, attracted 37,000 fans. A group of them marched to the game in north London, holding up signs which read: "We love you Kyra and Jess."
In the 32nd minute of the match, they then held them up in the stadium as fans all round the ground broke into applause.
Arsenal's Dutch boss Renee Slegers talked of the impact Cooney-Cross's plight had had at the club.
"There's bigger things in life. Of course, we miss Kyra here, but Kyra is where she needs to be right now, with the family, so our thoughts are with her, Jess and the rest of the family."
Manchester United joined in the support with manager Marc Skinner saying: "I just want to share a message for Kyra and her family. From everyone in Manchester United, we wish you all the very best, and the football family's with you, and I hope that you can find a happy space."
European champions Arsenal certainly missed the creative talent of Cooney-Cross, who's been so impressive for them of late that she was awarded the club's player of the month award earlier in the week.
Her words had resonated with the fans when she had said on her Instagram post: "My mum is my hero, my best friend, my everything, and the person who has shaped every part of who I am.
"She is the reason I am where I am today. Her strength, love and belief in me has carried me through everything. Trying to put into words what she means to me feels impossible."
England captain Leah Williamson, who's been limited to nine minutes of league action in 2025-26 because of a knee injury, made her first WSL start of the season but even her return failed to lift a curiously flat Arsenal performance.
Even with United right-back Jayde Riviere getting sent off in the 66th minute for a second bookable offence, Arsenal could only earn a fifth draw in their 12 WSL matches, and remain third, a point behind champions Chelsea and seven behind Manchester City despite having played a match more than the two pacesetters.
