Beth Mead returns for Arsenal squad for first time after World Cup heartbreak

06 September 2023 , 17:20

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Beth Mead during the warm up against Linkoping - her first appearance in the Arsenal squad since her injury

Beth Mead has returned to the Arsenal matchday squad for the first time in just under 10 months.

The England and Gunners' star forward missed the World Cup this summer after suffering a ruptured ACL last season. But Mead was on the bench for Arsenal's first competitive game of 2023-24 - a UEFA Women's Champions League qualifier against Swedish side Linkoping.

She remained an unused substitute, as Arsenal won 3-0, thanks to second half goals from Caitlin Foord and Swedish pair Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius, to advance to the final of their round one qualifying path. Although Mead wasn't brought into the action in Sweden, it is a huge boost for the Gunners who had to cope without her for the majority of last season.

Mead was last seen on a pitch hobbling off in the closing seconds of a 3-2 defeat to Man Utd last November, within days her ACL fears were confirmed and her club season was as good as over. Despite late hopes she may make the World Cup squad, Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman decided against including Mead in her final 23.

But Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall decided to include Mead in the first of potentially four games to navigate if the Gunners want to make the Champions League group stage. Kim Little missed a first half penalty, but Foord's goal early in the second half broke the deadlock.

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Meanwhile, just 17 days after the World Cup final Alessia Russo was in from the start for her Arsenal debut. Russo, who scored three times at the finals for England, moved to North London earlier this summer after her Man Utd contract expired. Fellow new signings Amanda Ilestedt and Cloe Lacasse also made their full debuts.

Arsenal controlled the majority of the tie, but Little's early spot kick miss combined with some poor finishing from Russo meant it was still a close contest. But a smart finish from substitute Hurtig settled the tie.

Caitlin Foord (2nd from right) celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal in the 3-0 win

Fellow Swede Blackstenius added a third in added time. The win ensured Eidevall's team are still on course for the group stage of Europe's premier competition.

Defender Lotte Wubben-Moy also returned to the Arsenal side after she returned from England's World Cup adventure. Captain Little was also in from the off after returning from a hamstring problem that curtailed her 2022-23 season.

Mead will next target a first start for the Gunners as she continues her recovery to full fitness. They face another qualifier in Sweden on Saturday against Paris FC or Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, before opening their WSL campaign against Aston Villa on October 1.

Jack Lacey-Hatton