Despite the fact that Arsenal have started their league campaign with a 5-1 victory against Lyon in France, the club are stung by a spate of injury blows. Injuries to Leah Williamson and Rafaelle Souza, as well as Beth Mead’s long-term knee injury, means the team is down to just two centre-backs. As such, there is no room for error early on in the season.

Beth Mead ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the WSL game against Manchester United last weekend, meaning she is a long way from being fit for next summer’s World Cup. She faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while the severity of her injury depends on whether she will need surgery. The England star has played 35 games for club and country this year, and is in contention for the Golden Boot. She was also voted BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, as well as Player of the Tournament yalla shoot.

Arsenal’s Jonas Eidevall concerned over

After Mead’s injury, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said that he hoped to have both centre-backs back before Christmas. However, the club may need to make an addition in the January transfer window. Despite the fact that Beth Mead’s replacement is likely to have massive shoes to fill, Eidevall says the club will be prepared to back her.

Eidevall also says that the heavy fixture schedule this season has put some of the club’s best players at risk. However, he has said that players can change and adapt to the demands of the team, as well as the demands of the game. He also believes that the team needs to build from the basics.

As well as having to make a player replacement, Arsenal face a tricky group of sides in the Champions League. However, they are one of the favourites to win the competition. They have fared exceptionally well against title rivals in the past. Ajax pressed hard to equalise in the second half, and they could have taken a lead if Wubben-Moy had not repelled Tiny Hoekstra. But the Gunners managed to hit them with a series of quick counter-attacks, thanks to a high line.

Match Report: England Women 20-0 Latvia

In the first three minutes of the match, Mead was targeted twice with long passes. However, she was not in the starting line-up, and she was substituted in the second half. It was then that Arsenal called upon Caitlin Foord. Although Foord made an effort to get a shot away, her effort was blocked.

After the match, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall was left angry with officials. He said he wanted to replace Mead with a player with concussion, but he was denied permission to do so. He has also said that the fixture scheduling may have contributed to the injury. However, he has said that his team has a chance to put the weekend loss behind them when they take on Juventus in the Champions League on Thursday.

Aside from Beth Mead, there are other Arsenal first team players who are currently out injured. They include Leah Williamson, Rafaelle Souza and Kim Little. In addition to the long-term injuries, several players have suffered minor knocks. However, Arsenal have started the season with three league wins, and are well-equipped to challenge for the title.