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      Jonas Eidevall hopes Arsenal can ‘be active’ in the winter transfer window after Miedema and Mead injuries

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      JONAS EIDEVALL says Vivianne Miedema sustaining a knee injury means Arsenal could be more busy in the January transfer window. The Gunners’ head coach, 39, says the club will need to be more active following injuries to Beth Mead, 27, and Miedema. 
      Jonas Eidevall says Arsenal need to have the squad depth to support their challenge across all competitionsCredit: Getty
      The Gunners boss says the club hope to be active in the transfer market with Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema both sidelined by ACL injuriesCredit: Getty
      Eidevall’s team will play Swiss side FC Zurich away in Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland.
      Their final match for this year and in the Champions League group stage kicks off at 5:45 pm this evening.
      It comes six days after Gunners forward Miedema, 26, ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament. 
      When asked if Mead’s and Miedema’s ACL injuries had altered his recruitment plans for January, Eidevall said: “Well it does a little bit. 
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      “It makes the need for us to be more active in the January transfer window.
      “I hope we can be active. It’s about finding the right players, but we have to take into consideration we’ve played 16 games here before Christmas. 
      “If we succeed in all the competitions that we’re in, I think we could end up playing 26 matches from January till May. 
      “With this of course, we need to have a squad that can handle playing 26 matches. 
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      “We have a pretty limited amount of time so it’s an important transfer window.”
      Arsenal, who are currently top of their Champions League group, have reportedly been linked with Ajax midfielder Victoria Pelova. 
      On the rumours concerning interest in the player, 23, who has netted three goals in eight Dutch top tier games this term, Eiedvall said he had ‘no comment’. 
      Players’ workloads and fixture scheduling are ongoing talking points within the sport amid the spate of injuries to footballers in the WSL and Europe’s other top divisions.
      Eidevall, Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman and Bayern Munich Women’s chief Alexander Straus are among the coaches who have flagged the need for more rest time for players.
      And while Eidevall reckons solving scheduling challenges will not be a ‘quick fix’, he believes increased communication and compromise between clubs and international coaches is key. 
      The Gunners chief added: “Some of these things will not be a quick fix, because it’s scheduling.
      “When we’re playing international club football or national team football, that’s obviously decided many years in advance. 
      “Here we can be able to take the experience so hopefully next time, we’ll decide on our own schedule that we can adapt.
      “Then there are quicker fixes – and I’m not going to let this narrative be spoiled as a result of Viv getting injured – but the way the Netherlands have managed their players in this period has been formidable.
      “They’re really trying to get the player-first approach and we try to cooperate together with them as well. 
      “That’s what we need to bring our attention to as coaches at the moment.
      “That’s to say we can’t change the schedule now but we can improve and increase our communication and we have to understand that all of us have to give. 
      “There is no way we can make decisions that are only looking at our own interests. Both parties have to give in order to benefit the players.”
      Arsenal, who were beaten 1-0 by Lyon last Thursday, hope to round off their group stage efforts with a win against Zurich later. 
      The Gunners have already qualified for the contest’s quarter-final stage having picked up three wins, a draw and a loss from their last five games. 
      Eidevall’s side, who are currently top of Group C and level on points with Lyon and aim to remain in pole position. 
      The Arsenal boss added: “You want to have as many advantages as possible in this competition when you reach the quarter-final stage.
      “There are going to be eight brilliant teams here.
      “But of course, we would like to go there as number one if that’s possible.
      “It’s also important to not come to the quarter-finals with too many yellow cards. 
      Arsenal are aiming to finish top of their Champions League group and are targeting a win against FC ZurichCredit: Getty
      “We experienced that against Wolfsburg last season.
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      “It was really difficult for us coming into playing those games with so many players getting close to suspensions. 
      “We have managed that part much, much better and have had much better discipline.” More

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      Sarina Wiegman says players at women’s game’s highest levels ‘need proper rest’ amid injuries across top tiers

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      SARINA WIEGMAN insists player welfare should come first when it comes to fixture schedules and the load put on elite women’s aces physically and mentally. And the Lionesses chief aims to take the form of her Euros winners to the next stage in order to topple their World Cup rivals.
      Sarina Wiegman says plays at the top levels of the women’s game should be given time for ‘a proper rest’ amid a rising number of injuriesCredit: PA
      The Lionesses boss was in the stands at the Emirates during a Champions League game in which Vivianne Miedema ruptured a knee ligamentCredit: PA
      Wiegman was sharing her thoughts with reporters a day before attending Arsenal’s Champions League duel with Lyon last Thursday.
      The England boss was watching the match from the stands when her Dutch compatriot Vivianne Miedema was stretchered off after a knee injury in the first half.
      Yesterday Arsenal confirmed the Gunners forward had ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament after landing awkwardly close to half-time.
      The injury saw the Dutch star, who won the 2017 Euros with the Netherlands under Wiegman, join a growing list of elite players across Europe currently sidelined by injuries.
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      They include Miedema’s Gunners team-mate Beth Mead. 
      The forward, shortlisted for the BBC’s Sports Personality of Year Award, sustained an ACL injury in November, four months after helping England to Euros triumph. 
      Wiegman said: “I really feel for Beth. Everyone who gets an ACL (injury) you feel for them. 
      “She did so well, she was in such a good place. I just hope she will recover. 
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      “It’s too early to say whether she will be (available for the World Cup).
      “We just take it easy now, (let her) first recover, and then over the next months we’ll see how it will develop. 
      “She has to become fit again, taking care of herself.
      “She knows she has all the support from Arsenal and all the support from us and the FA.”
      The injury to Miedema comes just under a month after the Arsenal forward called for Fifa and Uefa to listen to the concerns of players regarding their workloads. 
      When asked if match schedules is something that needs looking at Wiegman added: “In general, for the top, top level players, the schedule is too much. 
      “Some will have (to play in) five consecutive (international) tournaments in a row including the 2024 Olympics. 
      “The level of the game has improved and so the load on players physically and mentally – and you can’t split that because we are all human beings – does ask so much of them. 
      “The growth has gone so quickly so players also need a proper rest to get things settled down and (at present) they don’t have that rest. 
      “After the Euro’s for example, the Manchester City players only had a couple of days off because they went into the Champions League round again. 
      “That is not good. You can have that sometimes, but they need a rest. 
      “They need some rest just to get some headspace and get their heads and bodies right. 
      “I think Fifa, Uefa and the federations just need to do a little better job and all think of the players.”
      Wiegman hopes to see Beth Mead recover from her knee ligament injury and says the forward has her supportCredit: AP
      Next summer will be the third consecutive one in which a major international women’s football tournament takes place with the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 
      It follows a year that has seen the profile of women’s football rise with 365 million people worldwide tuning in to watch the Euros this July. 
      Some of the international players from Europe’s top divisions sidelined by long-term injuries before the World Cup include Spain’s Alexia Putellas and France duo Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Griedge Mbock.
      Germany’s Guilia Gwinn, Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and United States ace Catarina Macario are also among a number of pros currently crocked.
      Wiegman said: “The game is also becoming a more professional game so the commercial part of it is an important one too. 
      France forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto is among a number of top players in Europe currently sidelined with an ACL injuryCredit: AFP
      “We need to put the players first. But if there are no commercial parties, how do we make a living and then you have a choice of whether you are a professional footballer anymore. 
      “It is (about) finding the balance and finding the best way. I think we can do a better job and give players a little more rest.”
      Next summer will see Wiegman’s Lionesses kick-off their quest to become the first England Women’s side to win a World Cup
      Players from the squad, set to be selected by Wiegman next year, will play their first group stage game in Brisbane Australia on July 22. 
      Wiegman reckons her team, currently ranked the fourth best in the world,  will need to take their game to the next level
      We’re always looking at players. The door is not closed for anyone playing at a top level.England Women’s boss Sarina Wiegman
      The team are unbeaten run under their boss with 26 games without a loss since last September.  
      The England chief added: “At the beginning of the tournament, because of the amount of countries that join in the groups, it will be a little bit different, 
      “But when you get further in the level is going to be so high, with different styles of play, different coaches, which is exciting and challenging. 
      Wiegman and her England players will begin their push to win the World Cup on July 22 with Denmark and China among their three group stage rivalsCredit: PA
      “But we have to take our game to the next stage, to make the chance of being successful as high as possible.”
      Wiegman admits her door for selection is open to players performing consistently at a ‘top level’ 
      And the head coach says she and her team have been keeping an eye on Manchester City’s Laura Coombs.
      The midfielder has netted four goals in nine WSL games with City going ten 10 games unbeaten across all contests since a loss to Chelsea in September.
      The player has made two senior Lionesses appearances with the first occurring England’s 2-1 defeat of China back in 2015.
      Wiegman said: “We look at Laura almost every week because she plays every week and, yes, we also see that she’s doing a good job
      “It’s all about quality, what do we need in the team. We’re always looking at players. 
      “With some positions, we have a lot of depth, in others not as much. It’s always open. 
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      Man City’s Laura Coombs is among the players Sarina Wiegman has been watching this seasonCredit: Getty
      “It’s all about talent and performing. showing up for your club team first.
      “The door is not closed for anyone playing at a top level.” More

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      Who is Beth Mead’s partner Vivianne Miedema? Arsenal stars relationship compared to ‘David and Victoria Beckham’

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      BETH MEAD’S heroics inspired England’s Euros triumph this summer – but she’s not the only world-class footballer in her own house.Mead, 27, was one of the standout performers for the Lionesses, winning the Golden Boot and player of the tournament trophies.
      Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema are a coupleCredit: Instagram @bethmead_
      Both were nominated for the 2022 Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty
      Mead and Miedema went on holiday togetherCredit: Beth Mead / instagram
      She fired Sarina Wiegman’s side to glory with her six goals and five assists in just six games.
      Her performances on home soil have led to her being the favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
      The Arsenal attacker also came second for the Ballon d’Or this year being beaten by Alexis Putellas.
      Mead is an inspiration to many leading the way for women’s football in England.
      Who is Beth Mead’s partner Vivianne Miedema?
      Mead is dating her team-mate and fellow Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema.
      It was confirmed by Mead after her Euros win that she was going out with the 26-year-old Dutch striker.
      The duo are both goalscorers with Miedema one of the most prolific in the Women’s Super League.
      She has been at the Gunners for six seasons scoring 78 goals in 97 matches.
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      Miedema helped fire Arsenal to the WSL title alongside Mead in the 2018/19 season.
      The ex-Bayern Munich forward is a record breaking attacker just like her partner, she is the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer finding the back of the net 95 times for her nation.
      She is also a European champion after winning the Euros in 2017.
      Mead joked that they are the David and Victoria Beckham of women’s football, saying: “Yeah – of the lesbian world.”
      Both found out they were nominated for the Ballon d’Or while on holiday together, Mead said: “I was buzzing. I was like, ‘Wow, I’m nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
      “She [Miedema] said, ‘Yeah, it’s my fifth time. I’m really proud of you though’.”
      Miedema requires surgery after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
      Meanwhile, Mead is also in the treatment room with an ACL injury.
      Mead was previously in a relationship with Arsenal team-mate Danielle van de Donk.
      The duo are partners on and off the pitchCredit: Getty
      Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema found out about their Ballon d’Or nominations while away on holidayCredit: Instagram @bethmead_
      The Arsenal team-mates celebrated Mead’s Euros win togetherCredit: Miedema – Instagram More

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      Vivianne Miedema ‘gutted’ by ACL rupture with Arsenal star ‘ruled out for extended period’ following injury

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      Vivianne Miedema confirmed she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament days after being stretchered off during Arsenal’s loss to Lyon in the Champions League. The Gunners forward, 26, will undergo an operation on her injury in the coming days and has been ruled out for ‘an extended period’.
      Vivianne Miedema admits she knew straight away that she had injured her ACLCredit: Getty
      The Arsenal forward is set for extended period on the sidelines following her injuryCredit: PA
      Arsenal say a more detailed timescale will be established after surgery on the Netherlands ace has been carried out. 
      Last Thursday the WSL’s all-time record scorer looked visibly distressed after sustaining the injury which occurred after she was stretching for the ball and appeared to land awkwardly.
      The Gunners ace said there will be ‘plenty of difficult days ahead’ and thanked friends, family and her team-mates for their support. 
      In a statement shared via her Twitter account this morning Miedema said: “Absolutely gutted to share that I’ve ruptured my ACL in our last game against Lyon.
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      “It was one of those moments, where I knew straight away. 
      “So many things going through your head: I won’t be able to help my team anymore this season, no World Cup, surgery and rehab for a long, long time.
      “I won’t be telling you I’ll come back stronger or that I’m looking forward to spending the next however many months in the gym. 
      “It will be tough with plenty of difficult days (plenty of crying, which we’ve had a lot of already), but sadly enough it’s part of football.
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      “I’m lucky enough to have amazing team-mates, friends and family around me and Beth, who can guide me through everything that’s coming while only being a couple of weeks ahead of me.
      “Thank you for all your messages, I do really appreciate them and they are helping a lot!
      “For now, I’ll be getting myself ready for surgery and it’s time for a much-needed Christmas break.”
      Miedema’s injury comes a month after her team-mate and partner Beth Mead ruptured her knee ligament during the late stages of Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United at the Emirates. 
      The England star, 27, who signed a new contract with the club this month, was also revealed to have sustained an ACL injury.
      The loss of Miedema and Mead is a blow for Arsenal who are in the race for the WSL title and currently second and three points behind leaders Chelsea.
      Miedema’s team-mate Beth Mead sustained an ACL injury in NovemberCredit: Getty
      Both players are among the most formidable forwards in the women’s top-flight and notched up a combined total of 25 goals in the league last season. 
      And Miedema finished as the top tier’s second highest goal scorer last term.
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      Their club are due to play Zurich on Wednesday in their final Champions League group stage game.
      The Gunners have already qualified for the contest’s quarter-final stage having notched up three wins, one draw and one defeat. More

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      Former Arsenal boss Akers backs ‘tightknit’ Gunners to battle for trophies for injured team-mates

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      VIC AKERS is backing Arsenal to rally in their fight for silverware after losing two of their most feared forwards to injury. The ex-Gunners Ladies chief, 76, says Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead will be “a big miss” for the side with the duo currently injured.  
      Vic Akers says Vivianne Miedema being sidelined by injury is a big loss for ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Beth Mead and Miedema netted 26 goals combined in the 22 WSL games they played last seasonCredit: PA
      Akers, whose Arsenal side became the first English team to win a Women’s Champions League in 2007, was among the guests watching the Gunners’ clash with Lyon at the Emirates on Thursday. 
      Despite their 1-0 loss, Jonas Eidevall’s players claimed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. 
      But their qualification was overshadowed by the serious injury sustained by Miedema, with the WSL’s record scorer carried off after falling awkwardly while reaching for the ball. 
      Akers said: “Vivianne will be a big, big miss for the team. 
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      “I could see when she went down it was quite serious with Gary Lewin (Arsenal women’s head of medicine) coming out on the edge of the pitch. 
      “Looking at the expression on Gary’s face I knew it was serious. Let’s hope it’s not an ACL injury. It did look ominous.”
      Miedema’s injury comes a month after her team-mate Mead ruptured a knee ligament during Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates. 
      Timescales on how long the England ace will be sidelined by her injury are, as yet, unknown.
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      In a statement last month the club said Mead would be ‘set for an extended period on the sidelines’. 
      Last season Mead and Miedema notched up 26 goals combined in 22 WSL games with Miedema finishing as the league’s second highest scorer.
      And Akers expects Leah Williamson, Kim Little and their team-mates will be more eager to succeed for their injured pals. 
      He added: “This group is a tightknit one and similar to the all-conquering one I had back in 2007. 
      “They will want to succeed for the girls who are out and injured. 
      “I believe this motivation will carry them through this season.” 
      Vic Akers believes Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal side has a similar camaraderie to his 2006-07 quadruple-winning squadCredit: Getty
      Arsenal, currently second in the WSL, face league leaders Chelsea at the Emirates in their first game in the new year in what could be a pivotal match in the title race.
      That January 15 derby duel will come a month on from defenders Williamson and Rafaelle Souza returning to action from foot and knee injuries. 
      And skipper Little is back in training following a knee problem. 
      Akers added: “It’s massive to have those characters back in. 
      Akers says the creativity of Kim Little, who has out with a knee injury since October, has been missed in Arsenal’s midfieldCredit: Getty
      “Kim Little has been one of the biggest misses and I felt they were crying out for her creativity against Lyon. 
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      “I know Leah really, really well and she’ll definitely step up to the mark and make sure everybody is on the same page. 
      “I’m certain they’ll want to fight for trophies for the girls who are out injured and for themselves.” More

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      Hayes’ Chelsea side aim for top spot finish in Champions League group and defeat of Paris Saint-Germain

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      EMMA HAYES warns Chelsea will not be ‘downing tools’ in their final Champions League group game despite reaching the quarter-finals. The Blues boss was reflecting on her players’ performance after they comfortably trounced Albanian side Vllaznia 4-0. 
      Sophie Ingle opened the scoring for Chelsea against VllazniaCredit: Reuters
      Fran Kirby netted her first goal in the Champions League this season doubling visitors’ leadCredit: Reuters
      Fran Kirby’s first goal of the season in Europe and two assists for summer signing Jelena Cankovic were among the efforts that helped the WSL leaders stay top of group A.
      The result saw the Blues, who made a surprise exit at this stage of the tournament last season, pick up their fourth win from their first five Champions League group games.
      It saw them move  three points clear of Paris Saint-Germain before the French side’s 2-1 defeat of Real Madrid.
      And that result saw the Spanish club knocked out of the competition 
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      Chelsea boss Hayes said: “The questions in and around the group stage last year we don’t have to answer anymore. 
      “This team does so well to learn in its hardest moments.
      “We understand what the group stage is in this competition and I think we’ve navigated them really well this season. 
      “We didn’t get out of second gear but we should credit Vllaznia too as they made it difficult.
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      “They stuck a lot of numbers behind the ball in the corridors and you have to be patient. 
      “It’s not always the best thing to watch because you’re playing against so many numbers behind the ball but we kept our patience. 
      “We probed and the finishers came into the game to add a couple of goals so we’re really happy.Our objective now is to finish top of the group.”
      When asked if Chelsea’s quarter-final qualification gives them the freedom to take things easier against PSG, Hayes added: “I don’t think you can switch it on and off.
      “The minute we down tools in something, I don’t like us when that happens. 
      “There’s two conversations on the table for the team – the first is how hard we’re going to train next week and the second is how are we going to finish top of the group. 
      “Everything else is nothing. I don’t want to hear about Christmas or the quarter-finals.
      “I’m not interested in any of that, just what we need to do to win the game next week.”
      Hayes made six changes to the line-up that beat Reading 3-2 in the WSL on Sunday. 
      Captain Magda Eriksson and Millie Bright were rested with Sophie Ingle wearing the skipper’s armband. 
      Maren Mjelde scored Chelsea’s final goal during their 4-0 defeat of Vllaznia in AlbaniaCredit: Getty
      Vllaznia – who have conceded more goals than any other team in this stage tournament – were pinned back in their own half for large spells. 
      And they found themselves a goal behind in the 12th minute as Ingle side-footed the ball home after deflected Guro Reiten pass. 
      The hosts, who had no shots on target attempted a lobbed effort shortly after with Megi Dolci spotting Blues shot stopper Zecira Musovic off her line. 
      But they found themselves 2-0 down in the 20th minute with Kirby sweeping the ball home after being teed up by Cankovic following a quickly taken free-kick
      The Albanian side reacted angrily being caught off guard and yet to get into position, but their protests were waved away by the referee 
      The Blues came close to a third at the half hour mark with Aniek Nouwen heading Ingle’s corner kick directly at Vllaznia keeper Kaylin Williams-Moisier. 
      The Blues will take on Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge in their final group stage game with both teams qualifying for the quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
      The second spell saw Hayes shuffle her deck with Lauren James, Maren Mjelde and Katerina Svitkova entering the fray 
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      The visitors saw Sam Kerr’s tapped-in finish flagged offside in the 68th minute before Svitkova struck late to make it 3-0 win with an assist from Cankovic.
      And a late handball led to Mjelde netting from the penalty spot to wrap up a comfortable win on the road. More

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      Lionesses ace Beth Mead gives Arsenal a contract boost by extending stay with the WSL club she calls ‘home’

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      BETH MEAD has given Arsenal a huge boost by signing a new contract with the side following her stellar displays for club and country. The length of the new deal for the England forward, 27 has not been disclosed by the WSL outfit.
      Beth Mead has signed a new contract with Arsenal following an impressive season for club and countryCredit: Getty
      Mead has notched up 61 goals for the Gunners since joining the WSL side from Sunderland in 2017Credit: Getty
      The announcement comes a day after Arsenal qualified for the Champions League knockout stages following a narrow 1-0 loss to Lyon
      The match saw Mead’s team-mate and partner Vivianne Miedema stretchered off following a serious injury which occurred just under month after the England forward ruptured a knee ligament.
      Mead’s new contract comes in a year that saw her help the Lionesses to Euros glory  whilst winning the tournament’s Golden Boot after registering six goals and five assists. 
      Of her new contract Mead said: “This club is home for me – I’ve grown so much here as a player and a person and I know we can achieve so much more together in the years to come. 
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      “I want to compete to win the biggest trophies in the game and I know that the ambitions at Arsenal match my own.
      “I can’t wait to get back onto the pitch and help to deliver the success our supporters deserve.”
      Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall added: “It’s wonderful news that we have agreed a new deal with Beth. 
      “She is a world-class footballer and has proven that on the biggest stage of them all. 
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      “I have so much admiration for the way she has handled success and adversity on and off the pitch over the past few years.
      “I’m sure she will approach the next few months with the positive attitude we all know Beth for.”
      Mead moved to Arsenal in January 2017 after a five-year spell at Sunderland with whom she won a league cup trophy and two Women’s Premier League titles. 
      Since her Gunners switch the forward has made 166 appearances for the WSL title chasers netting 61 goals for the side who play FC Zurich in the Champions League next Wednesday. 
      Last season she notched up 14 goals and 19 assists in 40 Gunners appearances.
      Her efforts helped club take the 2021-22 WSL title chase to the wire and finishing a point behind league winners Chelsea. 
      And last November the fleet-footed Lioness became the first woman to score a hat-trick at Wembley for England during the team’s 4-0 defeat of Northern Ireland. 
      Clare Wheatley, Arsenal’s head of women’s football said: “In her five years with our club, Beth has grown into one of the best footballers in the world.
      Mead helped the Lionesses to their first major trophy win when they triumphed at the Euros in JulyCredit: Getty
      “Her form over the past season has reached new heights.”
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      Mead, who has been nominated for the 2022 BBC’S Sport Personality of Year award, sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United in November.
      Timescales as to how long the forward will be sidelined by her injury are as yet unknown.  More

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      Arsenal Women star Vivianne Miedema stretchered off in tears after suffering worrying knee injury against Lyon

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      ARSENAL WOMEN forward Vivianne Miedema was taken off on a stretcher in tears after suffering a serious knee injury against Lyon.The disastrous moment marred the Gunners booking their place in the Champions League quarter-finals despite falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat to the French champs.
      Vivianne Miedema went down after a horrible fall on her kneeCredit: Rex
      Arsenal’s medical team spent time treating her on the pitchCredit: PA
      Miedema was reduced to tears as she was carried off on a stretcherCredit: Getty
      The only goal of the game came in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Danielle van de Donk’s effortwas deflected into her own net by Frida Maanum.
      However, that was not the headline story from the evening at the Emirates Stadium.
      Dutch attacker Miedema, 26, went down clutching her knee after falling awkwardly while stretching for the ball just before the break.
      She received treatment on the pitch and was eventually carried off on a stretcher in tears.
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      Her partner and team-mate Beth Mead, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament damage last month, watched Miedema receive treatment on the pitch and then accompanied her down the tunnel.
      The loss of the club’s two star forwards is a huge double blow for the Gunners who face Zurich away in their final Group C game next Wednesday. 
      Speaking after the game, Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said: “I haven’t spoken to Vivianne or the doctor.
      “Right now I am very concerned of course, but we had to stay focused during the game. I’m sorry I don’t have any update at all on that situation.
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      “We are concerned but we are super professional. We don’t let anything take away our focus. 
      “We stick with what we need to do in the match and that we go to Zurich and we win and we remain number one in the group. That’s important.”
      Van de Donk, a compatriot and former Arsenal team-mate of Miedema’s, was also worried during a brief half-time interview.
      She said: “I feel very sad for her because you don’t wish that on anyone. It doesn’t look good so my thoughts are with her.”
      Miedema has scored 114 goals in 132 games since joining the Gunners back in 2017.
      She is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world and will be a major miss for Arsenal – who sit three points behind league leaders Chelsea in the WSL table, with a game in hand.
      In the match against Lyon, Arsenal came into it needing to avoid a loss of at least four goals or more in order to reach the Champions League knockout phase.
      Lotte Wubben Moy came close to heading the hosts in front from a 23 minute corner-kick after Caitlin Foord’s cut back was walloped out of play.
      And Foord narrowly missed a chance to get on the end of Katie McCabe’s curled delivery a quarter of an hour later. 
      A defensive lapse saw the visitors take the lead close to half-time  with Maanum unwittingly turning the ball into her own net after it was struck by Van de Donk after a free-kick.
      But the finish looked like it was offside with Melvine Malard seeming to interfere with play.
      And then disaster struck as Miedema collapsed down on the turf and was subsequently stretchered off.
      The second half saw centre-back Rafaelle Souza enter the fray for Eidevall’s side following the loss of Miedema.
      And Maanum came close to getting on the end of McCabe’s cross in the 60th minute, moments after Eugenie Le Sommer drilled a shot directly at Gunners keeper Manuela Zinsberger. 
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      The hosts’ push for a leveller saw the game end frantically with Eidevall sending Zinsberger into the box for the final corner kick.
      But Lyon held out to claim a win that saw them go second in the group and level on points with the Gunners. More