Arsenal shows support for Cooney-Cross in wake of mother's cancer diagnosis
Arsenal players and supporters pay emotional tributes to Matildas star Kyra Cooney-Cross following her return to Australia to be with her mother, who has been diagnosed with cancer.
14 hours agoSat 10 Jan 2026 at 9:39pm
Arsenal players show their support for Kyra Cooney-Cross and her mother Jess. (Getty Images/WSL: Leila Coker )
In short:
Arsenal players and fans have shown their support for Kyra Cooney-Cross at the club's WSL match against Manchester United.
Cooney-Cross has returned to Australia as her mother Jess has been diagnosed with cancer.
The Arsenal squad warmed up in shirts bearing her name and playing number, 32.
Arsenal players and supporters have paid emotional tributes to Matildas star Kyra Cooney-Cross following her return to Australia to be with her mother, who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Cooney-Cross revealed during the week she had rushed back to be with her mother Jess, who is in hospital in Queensland.
"A few days ago, our world changed forever," the 23-year-old wrote on Instagram.
"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 Arsenal teammates, including fellow Matildas Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord.
The Arsenal squad warmed up in shirts bearing her name and her playing number, 32, before the WSL match against Manchester United on Saturday night AEDT.
The match, played at Arsenal's home ground in north London, attracted 37,000 spectators.
A group of spectators marched to the ground, holding up signs that read: "We love you Kyra and Jess."
In the 32nd minute of the match, they held the signs up in the stadium, as spectators around the ground broke into applause.
Arsenal fans got behind Kyra Cooney-Cross and her family. (Getty Images/Arsenal FC: Alex Burstow)
"There's bigger things in life," Arsenal manager 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 also showed its support for Cooney-Cross.
"I just want to share a message for Kyra and her family," United manager Marc Skinner said.
"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."