Beth Mead Set for Arsenal Return After Year-Long ACL Recovery

 Beth Mead Set for Arsenal Return After Year-Long ACL Recovery

Emily Fox #23 of USA battles with Beth Mead #7 of England for a loose ball during an international friendly game between England and USWNT at Wembley Stadium on October 7, 2022 in London, England(Image-Getty)

According to manager Jonas Eidevall, Beth Mead, the forward for England and Arsenal, is poised to make her first appearance in a year since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. The team's upcoming Women's Super League match against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium could mark Mead's return after her injury in November.

Notably holding the record for the most assists in the WSL, Mead's absence due to the ACL injury had also prevented her from participating in the women's World Cup. The 28-year-old's remarkable performance led her to secure the Golden Boot during England's triumph at the European Championship last year, followed by a second-place finish in the women's 2022 Ballon d'Or voting, with Spain's Alexia Putellas claiming the top spot.

Eidevall expressed optimism about Mead's return, praising her energy, versatile play, and strong attacking abilities. While Mead's comeback appears imminent, her teammate Vivianne Miedema, who also faced an ACL injury, remains in the recovery phase and is not yet prepared for her return to the field.

Eidevall acknowledged the challenges each player faces in their journey back to full fitness, highlighting the individual nature of recovery despite similarities in the injuries. With Arsenal currently positioned ninth in the league, having faced two winless matches, including a surprising opening day defeat by Liverpool, the upcoming match against Villa holds significance for the team's progression in the league standings.