Arsenal Women have confirmed that Beth Mead will be set for a lengthy period on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a major blow to her World Cup hopes.
The England international sustained the issue during the Gunners' Women's Super League clash with Manchester United on Saturday, which Jonas Eidevall's side lost 3-2.
Mead completed 89 minutes of the contest at the Emirates Stadium before being taken off, and Arsenal have now confirmed the worst, with the 27-year-old now set to undergo surgery.
Mead would have been expected to be one of the first names on the teamsheet for England during the 2023 World Cup, which takes place from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
However, the Euro 2020 winner is now facing a race against time to recover for the international tournament, and Arsenal have not put a timeframe on her rehabilitation period.
A statement on arsenal.com read: "We can confirm that Beth Mead suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in our match against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
"Unfortunately, this means that Beth is set for an extended period on the sidelines. She will see a surgeon in the coming days, after which further details on timescales will be established.
"Everyone at the club will now be supporting Beth and working hard to get her back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Mead has five goals and five assists to boast from nine matches in all competitions in the 2022-23 season, and she set up two goals for England in their 4-0 friendly win over Japan on November 11.
The forward came second to Alexia Putellas in the vote for the 2022 Ballon d'Or Feminin after scoring a joint-high six goals at Euro 2022, and England will take on China, Denmark and the winners of playoff Group B at the 2023 World Cup.
Ben Knapton
