Mead fitness update as Lioness takes "huge step" with return to Arsenal line-up

20 November 2023 , 10:45

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Beth Mead thanks the fans as she is subbed during Arsenal's 3-0 win over Brighton

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall says Beth Mead took a "huge step" in her return from a major injury in their 3-0 win over Brighton.

Mead, 28, returned to the starting line-up in the WSL for the first time since she ruptured her ACL in 2022. The win over Brighton came exactly a year to the day since she sustained the injury in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.

The England forward featured in an attacking Gunners' team, alongside Stina Blacktenius, Caitlin Foord and international teammate Alessia Russo, for the first time at club level. Goals from Blackstenius, Foord and Frida Maanum secured Arsenal a fifth consecutive win in the WSL, to move them to within three points of league leaders Chelsea.

Mead was withdrawn in the 64th minute by her manager as she continues to work towards playing a full 90 minutes. However, Eidevall hinted that she was edging closer towards regaining full fitness.

"I took the decision (to substitute Mead) with my eyes," Eidevall explained. "Today was 60 minutes and next time we'll see. It's a huge step in her return to play by starting a game. It gives us a really important tool at this point in the season, when we can see that we have great competition in our forward positions."

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The morning after the win Mead posted a heartfelt message to fans on social media. Writing on X, the England forward said: "Football is full of ups & downs but yesterday was an up.

"A year to the day since rupturing my ACL & topped off with a win. Proud of my team, even prouder of the support from our fans. Absolutely incredible."

After a slow start to the season that included a Champions League qualifying exit and a 1-0 home defeat against Liverpool, Arsenal have found form. Their powerful attack looks one of the deadliest in the league, having scored 15 goals in their last five WSL fixtures.

And Eidevall believes Mead will soon join the party as she searches for her first goal of the season. "You can see that she's (Mead) involved in good goal-creating opportunities," he added. "When you see the goals that we scored, I don't think that's a coincidence with us having real quality players coming on with fresh legs, being able to capitalise on the space we had there."

Arsenal face Southampton in the Conti Cup and West Ham in the league before the final international break of 2023. And that window could see Mead make her international return for the Lionesses, with Sarina Wiegman naming her squad for the Nations League games against Netherlands and Scotland this week.

Jack Lacey-Hatton