Beth Mead will come back from her ACL nightmare stronger according to former Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro.
The ex-Gunners boss managed Mead for four years before departing in the summer of 2021 and taking up the Juventus job. Arsenal face the Italian giants in a Champions League Group C clash at the Allianz Stadium on Thursday night, in a reunion with Montemurro who led them to the WSL title in the 2018-19 season.
Mead suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a 3-2 WSL defeat against Manchester United last Saturday and will be out for what the club describe as 'an extended period'. This has thrown her participation at the 2023 FIFA World Cup into doubt.
But Montemurro said he expects Mead to bounce back from the setback and that she has taken her game to levels that he always knew she was capable of, while he was in the hotseat at Arsenal.
"It is a really emotional one for me," he said. "Over the last few years since I've left the club, I've see how she has gone on and grown, which is absolutely deserved.
"It couldn't have happened to a better person. She has gone onto the levels I always thought she was going to be at.
"These injuries are always so sad. Unfortunately I've seen a few in my career and they are, unfortunately, a hazard of our game.
"But I know Beth will come back stronger. I know she will be chomping at the bit to get back and will work hard.
"I can only wish her all the best, she deserves it as a person. But I also wish her well as a friend, because we grew together, arrived at the same time and had four fabulous years together.
"But I know she'll come back stronger."
Arsenal head into the Champions League clash top of a tough looking Group C after back-to-back wins. Juventus sit second with four points, while defending champions Lyon are in third with a sole point. The Gunners eased past the French side 5-1 on matchday one, before beating the other team in the group Zurich, 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium putting them in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals.
Jonas Eidevall had to navigate a second qualifying round to reach the group stage, knocking out Ajax over two legs and will now be looking to advance the last eight to match their run of last season. Back then Arsenal were knocked out by Wolfsburg, but the win over Lyon on matchday one was a statement to the rest of the continent that they are serious contenders this time around.
NEW! Our Year: European Champions 2022 - The Official England Winners Book
With a foreword by England manager Sarina Wiegman, this is the only official book of the historic triumph, reliving every kick of a thrilling tournament and telling the stories of the players who made it all happen.
Order from https://reachsportshop.com/book/our-year-european-champion-2022/
