Beth Mead’s Return to Arsenal Squad to Provide “Lift” for Injured Players
England striker Beth Mead has returned to the Arsenal travelling squad, providing a “lift” to other players recovering from injury, according to manager Jonas Eidevall. Mead, 28, missed the World Cup after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last November. She has travelled to Sweden for the Women’s Champions League first-round qualifier against Linkoping on Wednesday, but is not set to play.
Since Mead ruptured her ACL, Arsenal team-mates Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither and Teyah Goldie have all suffered the same injury. Eidevall believes that Mead’s return will provide a mental boost to the other injured players.
“It’s so nice when you welcome a player back because you know how hard they have fought for so many months. That starts off the pitch and then on the pitch to be able to get into this shape,” said Eidevall.
Mead recently stated that she “feels ready to go” and would love to make her England return against Scotland in their Women’s Nations League match on 22 September.
Arsenal’s four summer signings – Amanda Ilestedt, Cloe Lacasse, Alessia Russo and Laia Codina – are all also part of the travelling squad in Sweden. The match against hosts Linkoping is part of one of four ‘league path’ tournaments being played this week to determine which teams, who qualified for the Champions League via league position rather than as champions, progress to the next round.
If they beat Linkoping, Arsenal would face the winners of Paris FC against Ukraine’s Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih on Saturday for a place in the second round of qualifying. The likes of Paris St-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Wolfsburg enter the tournament in the second round, the final matches before the group stage.
The 2023-24 Women’s Super League season starts on 1 October, with Arsenal beginning their campaign against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.
The return of Beth Mead to the Arsenal travelling squad is a welcome sight for all involved with the club. After suffering a serious injury last November, Mead has been working hard to get back to full fitness and is now close to making her return to action. Her presence in the squad will provide a much-needed boost to other players who have also been sidelined with similar injuries.
Mead recently stated that she is feeling ready to go and would love to make her England return against Scotland in their Women’s Nations League match on 22 September. This would be a huge milestone for her and a testament to her hard work and dedication over the past few months.
Arsenal have also welcomed four new signings this summer – Amanda Ilestedt, Cloe Lacasse, Alessia Russo and Laia Codina – who are all part of the travelling squad in Sweden. The match against Linkoping is part of one of four ‘league path’ tournaments being played this week to determine which teams progress to the next round of qualifying.
If Arsenal beat Linkoping, they will face the winners of Paris FC against Ukraine’s Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih on Saturday for a place in the second round of qualifying. The likes of Paris St-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Wolfsburg enter the tournament in the second round, the final matches before the group stage.
The 2023-24 Women’s Super League season starts on 1 October, with Arsenal beginning their campaign against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium. With Beth Mead close to making her return and Arsenal’s new signings ready to make an impact, it looks set to be an exciting season for Arsenal fans.