Arsenal defender Ilestedt expecting first child

Arsenal have announced defender Amanda Ilestedt is pregnant.

The Sweden international, 31, is set to become a mother for the first time and will continue to train with the Gunners — although she will not feature in matches.

A club statement said: "Amanda is doing well and we are supporting her closely throughout this new and exciting journey.

"Amanda will continue to undertake light training activities and keep in close contact with our medical team as her pregnancy progresses but will not now be available for selection until after she has given birth.

"Everybody at Arsenal would like to send our warm congratulations to Amanda and her partner Rainer ahead of the new arrival."

Ilestedt joined Arsenal last summer from Paris Saint-Germain and won the Bronze Ball for her performances at the 2023 Women's World Cup, where she helped Sweden finish third.

She has featured regularly for the Gunners this season, scoring three goals and most recently playing in the 2-1 defeat to West Ham last month.

Her side are in the hunt to win the Women's Super League, sitting three points behind leaders Chelsea in third.

And the Gunners could give themselves an even greater chance of lifting the trophy for the first time since 2019 by beating the Blues when they meet in a huge game at Stamford Bridge on Friday.

Jonas Eidevall's side also play Emma Hayes' team in the Conti Cup final on March 31, while they must travel to play second-placed Manchester City on the penultimate weekend of the season.