Arsenal fans and players have rallied around Kyra Cooney-Cross, offering the absent Matildas star a heartfelt show of support at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Cooney-Cross revealed last week that she had rushed home to Australia to be with her mother, Jess, who had been diagnosed with stage four cancer.
The 23-year-old midfielder published several pictures on her Instagram account showing her by her mum's bedside in hospital, before heartbreakingly explaining that her mother was suffering from a 'rare and aggressive' form of bile duct 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 Number, 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."
Arsenal women's team paid tribute to their team-mate Kyra Cooney-Cross during their goalless draw against Manchester United on Saturday
The Gunners sent a message to their team-mate and her mother, Jess, after Cooney-Cross revealed last week that her mum was heartbreakingly suffering from stage four cancer
In the 32nd minute, the fans hoisted the signs into the air at the Emirates, with supporters breaking out into a round of applause.
'There are bigger things in life,' Arsenal boss Renee Slegers said.
'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 at 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.
The Queensland-born midfielder was awarded the club's player of the month last week in recognition of her sensational form.
Cooney-Cross (right) with her mum, Jess, revealed the news on Instagram, stating that her mother had been diagnosed with a 'rare and aggressive' form of bile duct cancer
Arsenal stars rallied around their team-mate, by warming up while wearing shirts with 'Cooney-Cross' and her number, 32, printed on the back
Fans inside the Emirates Stadium held up a sign on the 32nd minute of the match that read 'We love you Kyra and Jess'
Manchester United also issued their support for Cooney-Cross (second from right), her mother Jess (third from right) and their family
It's the third time in her career that the Matildas midfielder has won the honour.
'I’ve been getting good consistency in minutes and I've been really enjoying it and making the most of it,' she had said following Arsenal's 3-1 win against Everton.
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 has 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 one match more than the two pacesetters.
Source: Daily Mail
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