Arsenal forward Beth Mead has “trained” fully with the Gunners’ squad “this week”, according to BBC journalist Emma Sanders.

The England international has been working her way back to full fitness and she didn’t suffer any ill effects after playing in a youth team match on Wednesday. Sanders says everything is looking good for the player’s return to first-team action:

Beth Mead’s recovery going well with Arsenal. She has trained fully with the squad this week. She also played in an in-house training match with the youth team yesterday and came through well. #afc https://t.co/Ado4nlfI75

— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) October 12, 2023

Arsenal are promoting the fixture against Aston Villa this weekend with a picture of Mead, so it suggests that the 28-year-old could be included in the matchday squad, but we shall have to wait and see what manager Jonas Eidevall says about that.

It’s been a long road back to fitness for Mead

The Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a league game against Manchester United in November last year.

It has taken Mead the best part of 11 months to get back on the pitch and it will be a big moment when the striker makes her return in an Arsenal shirt.

Two more Arsenal players are close to making their comebacks from injuries

Arsenal’s website has also confirmed that Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson have been involved in full training in the build-up to the Villa fixture.

Like Mead, the pair suffered ACL injuries last season, and Miedema revealed at the end of last month that she was building up her fitness after completing her rehabilitation programme.

It seems Eidevall could have some key players back available for selection in the not-too-distant future.

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