Beth Mead celebrated Leah Williamson’s Arsenal return alongside Vivianne Miedema and other ACL injury sufferers with a heartwarming social media post.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Williamson back on the pitch for ArsenalAppeared as a substitute against ReadingMead posted on social media to mark her returnWHAT HAPPENED?
The Gunners have had several players sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the last couple of years. Vivianne Miedema had to be carried off on a stretcher after she ruptured her ACL during a Champions League game against Lyon in December 2022. Whereas, Mead was sidelined for 11 months after she suffered the same injury a month earlier than Miedema. Williamson joined her teammates in the treatment room in March 2023which saw her miss the FIFA Women's World Cup last summer along with Mead.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Right-back Laura Wienroither also picked up an ACL injury during a Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg and is still undergoing rehabilitation. The list continues as 25-year-old American goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese got injured while she was out on loan to Bristol City against Aston Villa in November 2023.
WHAT MEAD SAID
Mead posted a dressing room picture along with her teammates and wrote: "The ACL crew, so proud of you all".
@bethmead_ InstagramDID YOU KNOW?
Women footballers are reported to be six times more likely to suffer ACL injuries compared to their male counterparts, according to a Additionally, female footballers face a 25 per cent lower likelihood of fully recovering and returning from ACL injuries.