BETH MEAD says making her long-awaited comeback for Arsenal from a serious knee injury felt like Christmas.
The forward inspired the Gunners’ late fightback and 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa on Sunday teeing up Alessia Russo’s dramatic late winner.
GettyBeth Mead made her first return to match action for Arsenal after recovering from an ACL injury sustained last November[/caption]
AlamyThe Gunners star provided her first WSL assist for Alessio Russo who scored Arsenal’s winner against Aston Villa at the Emirates[/caption]
GettyRusso’s goal saw her net for the club in the top-flight for the first time since her July switch from Manchester United[/caption]
The England pals, watched by Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman, combined to deadly effect in front of a 35,289-strong Emirates crowd.
Mead, who had recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, provided the cut back that led to Russo’s first league goal for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
The forward’s game-changing cameo in the closing stages of the match contributed to the hosts’ battle back from a goal down during 15 minutes of injury time.
It saw Arsenal pick up their first win of the season following a loss and draw in their two previous fixtures.
Mead told Sky Sports: “To get on the pitch felt like Christmas for me.
“I’ve worked hard mentally and physically throughout this rehab.
“It’s not an easy one especially after doing it with your partner (Vivianne Miedema) who has also done the same thing (sustained a knee injury).
“To get on the pitch – especially in front of the fans – I had goosebumps and I had to keep the emotion in for that one.
“I’ve had so many emotions all day. I’ve been excited, I’ve been nervous. Will I get on (the pitch). Will I not get on.
“Warming up, it feels like you’re never going to get that chance.
“But I was so happy to get on the pitch especially at the Emirates where I did my knee (injury)”.
Yesterday Eidevall’s side were facing the prospect of another surprise home defeat.
One that would have seen them lose back-to-back WSL games at the Emirates for the first time.
But two quickfire injury-time finishes in two minutes saw the Gunners avoid that outcome following Mead’s entrance in the 88th minute.
The result followed her return to action 11 and a half months after an ACL injury – sustained at the Emirates – that saw her miss this year’s World Cup and most of last season.
Mead told BBC Sport: “It’s pretty special. It’s been obviously a long, tough injury but the fans here were incredible.
“That’s what I’m here to do, help the team as best I can and I hoped I wasn’t too rusty coming out.
“I got myself an assist and Alessia’s important goal so I’m happy with the job I’ve done.”
Of her journey back to fitness from a ruptured knee ligament, Mead added: “I’ve had amazing teammates, fans, family, everyone around me to get me through.
“That’s why you play, to feel as special as this, especially at the Emirates, the place where I did my ACL.
“It’s nice to get this game out of the way and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Gunners boss Eidevall said: “Beth deserves that reception. She’s worked so hard.
“She’s had a really difficult year, both being injured and with her mum passing away.
“We know that it’s been incredibly tough for her, and it’s so nice to see her being back on the pitch, seeing her being able to perform straight away.”
Russo’s slotted finish saw her open her WSL goals account for this term.
She netted for the second time at the Emirates with her first goal bagged for former club Manchester United last November.
The England star, who sealed a July move to Arsenal, said: “I’m absolutely buzzing!
“First goal but also the win here in front of our fans, I think we really needed them.
“We dug deep and got there in the end.”
Arsenal were eager to avoid another defeat at home after losing to Liverpool in front of a WSL record crowd of more than 54,000 last time out.
GettyMaz Pacheco gave Aston Villa a first-half lead heading in her first WSL goal of this season[/caption]
Against the run of play an unmarked Maz Pacheco gave Villa a 25th-minute lead with her bullet header.
A finish that came minutes after Villans goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar missed claiming Caitlin Foord’s cross before Pacheco hoofed the ball away
A clash of heads between Frida Maanum and Lucy Staniforth saw play stopped with Maanum later continuing with cotton wool stemming her nose bleed.
The second spell saw the visitors weather a barrage with Rachel Corsie requiring treatment after Russo’s volley struck her head early on.
And Eidevall cranked things in attack with Cloe Lacasse and Victoria Pelova replacing Frida Maanum and Amanda Ilestedt with 26 minutes of normal time left
A fierce Foord shot struck the post three minutes later with the impressive Van Domselaar claiming the rebound before Russo could pounce.
Arsenal added more firepower with Stina Blackstenius replacing Lia Walti with 14 minutes of normal time left.
And Rachel Daly’s head injury following a collision with Lotte Wubben-Moy saw play stopped while the Villa striker received treatment.
GettyKatie McCabe smashed in Arsenal’s leveller in stoppage time[/caption]
Mead’s entrance later prompted raucous chants from the home crowd who cranked their noise levels following the announcement of 12 minutes injury-time.
The hosts responded with Katie McCabe lashing in a 92nd minute leveller
And Mead’s assist teed up Russo’s rifled winning finish two minutes later.
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