26 November 2023 , 18:01
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England star Beth Mead dedicated scoring her first goals since her return from injury to her late mum in a touching tribute on Sunday.
The striker was on the scoresheet for the Gunners for the first time since returning to competitive action after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament last year. Frida Maanum opened the scoring against West Ham inside the opening five minutes, before Mead put the game out of reach for the visitors with a brace before the interval.
The victory keeps Arsenal within three points of reigning champions Chelsea but was all the more special given the direct influence Mead played, who scored her first Women's Super League goal in 428 days after being released by Kyra Cooney-Cross down the right channel and curling a shot into the far corner.
Mead's second arrived shortly before half-time after good work from Alessia Russo who won the ball back in a dangerous area before teeing up Mead, who finished the job from close range.
The 28-year-old lifted her arms up to the sky afterwards in celebration.
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And after the 3-0 win, Mead took to social media to dedicate her brace to her late mum who passed away after a long battle with ovarian cancer in January.
Accompanied images of her celebrating the goals, Mead wrote: "That one was for you Mum" followed by emojis of a white dove and two red and white hearts.
The death of Mead's mum came during the striker's ongoing recovery from her ACL injury and Mead has not shied away from the difficult period the adversity represented in her life.
This week has felt on par with a new lease of life for Mead, who not only savoured a first start since her injury this week but also a return to the latest Lionesses squad for England's crunch Nations League matches against the Netherlands and Scotland.
Arsenal return to action after the international break when they host league leaders Chelsea in a potential season-defining clash.