QB weekly: 2. - 8. 2. 2026

Laia Aleixandri has suffered an ACL injury

As if this season hadn’t delivered enough already. The joy of reaching the semi-finals — capped by a victory in El Clásico — was short-lived for Spanish defender Laia Aleixandri. The centre-back, Barcelona’s only signing of the season after arriving from Manchester City in the summer, started the match but was forced off just 17 minutes in. A few days later, the club confirmed fears: Aleixandri has suffered an ACL injury.

A major moment for both Slovenian and Czech women’s football

Both arrive on loan — and both represent a historic step. Barbora Votíková (Arsenal) hails from Czechia, Zara Kramžar (Everton) from Slovenia, two countries where women’s football is still waiting for its major breakthrough, with national teams not yet to feature at a major international tournament or achieve some bigger success. That is why the arrival of Votíková and Kramžar in the WSL carries such significance.

Votíková has already spent a season in the WSL with Tottenham, while for Kramžar this marks her first experience of the league. Both are only the second players from their respective countries to compete in Europe’s top domestic competition — and, at present, the only ones.

Kramžar has already made her debut, coming on in the 74th minute against London City Lionesses. Votíková, meanwhile, remained on the bench as the substitute goalkeeper for the match against Manchester City, but both players celebrated victories with their new teams.

Manchester City’s unbeaten run has come to an end

Manchester City had been unbeaten in the league since their defeat to Chelsea on 5 September. Last week, the Citizens claimed a statement victory with a 5–1 home win over Chelsea, but both their momentum and unbeaten run were brought to an end by Arsenal at the Emirates.

Had the Citizens left London with all three points, their grip on the title would have looked all but unshakeable. Arsenal — and, ultimately, Olivia Smith’s decisive strike — brought them to a halt. Even so, City remain top of the table, still holding an eight-point advantage, while Arsenal holds game in a hand.