ARSENAL have been dealt an injury blow with Victoria Pelova suffering a knee ligament tear on Netherlands duty.
Earlier today the club confirmed the Dutch forward, 25, ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a Women’s Euros qualifier.
Pelova went off injured early on in her country’s 1-1 draw with Finland last Tuesday.
The Gunners’ playmaker was forced to withdraw in the 12th minute of the clash at Tammelan Stadium after “extending her knee”.
Pelova’s ACL rupture has come at a time of Arsenal planning to boost their attacking ranks following the departure of her compatriot Vivianne Miedema.
The Netherland’s forward, 27, who is the WSL’s current all-time top scorer, left the club last month ending her seven-year stint.
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However the Gunners, who finished third season and won this year’s Conti Cup, are claimed to have sealed a move for Mariona Caldentey.
Sky Sports reports the Spain forward, 28, and three-time Champions League-winning ex-Barcelona ace is expected to join Arsenal next month.
Yesterday Gunners’ full-back Laura Wienroither, 25, signed a new contract with the club two months after her return from an ACL rupture.
In the past two years the WSL giants have contended with a number of their stars being sidelined for months due to knee ligament damage.
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Leah Williamson, 27, Beth Mead, 29, and Miedema are among those to have returned to action last term after suffering ACL injuries the season before.
Pelova, who helped her side win the Conti Cup in March, will undergo surgery “in due course” according to an update on her club’s web site.
The Netherlands attacker is set for an extended period on the sidelines.
It means she will miss Arsenal Women’s first ever pre-season tour of the United States in August.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
