Arsenal Women forward Beth Mead has opened up about her early days at the club following a big move from Sunderland in 2017
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Arsenal and England forward Beth Mead has reflected on her turbulent journey through injury, grief, and self-doubt in a powerful and deeply personal interview with The Players’ Tribune.
The 30-year-old Lionesses star recounted her early struggles after joining Arsenal from Sunderland in 2017, her emotional battles with injury setbacks, and the profound impact of losing her mother in 2023.
Mead, who was the youngest-ever winner of the Women’s Super League Golden Boot while at Sunderland, described her transition to Arsenal as overwhelming. Moving from the quiet village of Hinderwell in North Yorkshire to the intensity of life in London and a top-tier club, she admitted: “Things were hard from Day One… Being in London was like being in another world.” She leaned on her mother, June, for emotional support, often calling her during difficult moments. “One step at a time, Beth,” her mother would tell her—words that became a mantra throughout her career.
Shortly after her arrival, Mead suffered a setback when she broke her collarbone during her first training session. Already dealing with the pressure of a new environment and carrying a prior injury, the incident left her sidelined and emotionally drained. “Injured. Alone. No football for six weeks,” she recalled. The constant encouragement from her mother helped her through the isolation and doubt.
Arsenal forward Beth Mead
Arsenal forward Beth Mead
Over time, Mead settled into life at Arsenal, eventually becoming one of the club’s most influential players. She credited the Gunners for becoming her “second family,” a bond that proved vital following her mother’s death from ovarian cancer in January 2023. In a touching moment, Mead recalled how more than 20 Arsenal teammates and staff traveled together at 4 a.m. to attend the funeral. “That’s not just teammates stuff. That’s real graft,” she said, underscoring the depth of camaraderie within the club.
Another major obstacle came in November 2022, when Mead suffered a devastating ACL injury during a match against Manchester United. The injury kept her off the pitch for nearly a year, forcing her to miss the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “It’s horrible,” she told The Standard. “Mentally, when the team goes out for training and you’re still stuck in the gym, it’s tough.”
Mead described the recovery process as both physically draining and mentally exhausting, involving long hours of solitary rehab work and repetitive exercises. Speaking to FIFPRO, she admitted: “There are some days that you think you’re never going to get there.” Fortunately, she wasn’t alone in her struggle—several of her Arsenal teammates, including Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, and Laura Wienroither, were also recovering from ACL injuries. Their shared experience created a unique support group. “We’ve got an amazing group at Arsenal,” Mead said.
Her return to competitive football came in October 2023, when she came off the bench against Aston Villa and assisted the winning goal in stoppage time. The moment, she said, felt “like Christmas.” A month later, she netted a first-half brace against West Ham and became just the second player to record 100 combined goals and assists in WSL history.
Arsenal Women
Arsenal Women
Her comeback wasn’t just a physical achievement—it was a mental triumph. Using data tools like the WHOOP band to monitor her recovery and performance, Mead gradually regained confidence and form. Her hard work paid off when she scored the opener in Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Chelsea in December 2023 and later played a decisive role in Arsenal’s 2025 UEFA Women’s Champions League win over Barcelona, assisting the title-winning goal.
Reflecting on that final, Mead revealed an emotional connection, saying she felt her late mother’s presence throughout the match. “I know that my mum will be watching down on us – her girls,” she wrote, dedicating the victory to her.
Now a role model for many, Mead continues to make an impact off the pitch. In addition to her ambassadorial work with the McDonald’s Fun Football program, she supports young players through a scholarship established in her name at Teesside University.