One of Arsenal’s coaching staff once had something interesting to say about Beth Meade’s value to the club when they were focusing on increasing attendances: she was the only player to celebrate a goal with the supporters rather than her teammates.
Most other Arsenal – and throughout the Women’s Super League – players have a habit of immediately turning inward to hug their teammates. Her teammate Stina Blackstenius always seemed embarrassed to be the center of attention and wanted to bury her head among the other players.
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But Mead – who made her WSL debut more than a decade ago when the average crowd at that level was only 1,000 and therefore perhaps appreciates 30,000 spectators more than most – has always thought of the fans first. This makes them feel like they are part of the action rather than just an observer of it.
I was reminded of this when Mead opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge and then ran to celebrate in front of the away fans, tapping the Arsenal crest onto her jersey.
This feels like a big moment. Arsenal’s away support is undoubtedly the biggest and loudest in the league, and this is always their biggest away game of the season. The away area at Stamford Bridge is located next to the goal, steep and almost at the top of the pitch, making it the most visually impressive area in the league.
Arsenal supporters spent much of the game mocking Chelsea’s lack of Champions League success. At this point, the score is 2-0. The score was 2-0 at full time after Mead assisted Mariona Cardenti’s careful finish.
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Not only was it Arsenal’s first win at Chelsea since 2018, it was also their first at Stamford Bridge. Surprisingly, this goal was also Meade’s first goal in the WSL this season.
That’s what Mead is all about, making decisive contributions in the big moments. Meade sometimes felt unfashionable compared to others in her position. At international level, she doesn’t have the passing ability of Chloe Kelly, the top speed of Lauren Hemp or the talent of Lauren James. When her team isn’t doing well, you sometimes want someone who can offer a wider range of qualities.
But she averages a goal per game for England and tends to score big goals too. Even at Euro 2022, she wasn’t actually one of England’s best players throughout the tournament. Millie Bright, Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh all produced more consistent performances, scoring key goals for England in the quarter-finals and final after Mead was substituted.
But Mead finished with six goals and five assists in six games and was inevitably crowned a hero. Mead’s performance wasn’t always great. But she scored and got an assist. She is second on the WSL’s all-time goalscoring list and the only player above her on the list – former Arsenal teammate and partner Viviane Miedema – with more assists than any other player.
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At Stamford Bridge, her role is not really a right-winger, but an inside-right forward. Defender Emily Fox was outstanding on the pitch, occupying Chelsea’s left wing-back Sandy Baltimore. This meant Mead was hiding inside and dragging Bright towards her, which opened up space for the Chelsea defence.
“Meade’s stance hurt us a little bit,” Chelsea coach Sonia Bompast said. “We discussed this beforehand, but we didn’t handle the situation the way we wanted to.”
Even the opposing players were happy for Mead after the game. There were long discussions with Bright and warm hugs with other friends from England, Walsh and Niamh Charles.
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Arsenal’s media team surrounded her and directed her to a post-match interview, where she received the man-of-the-match award, meaning she – ironically – was the only player to miss out on the post-match celebrations with the fans. The party really started as she rushed over and fans chanted her name.
Arsenal head coach Renee Slagers said after the game: “When the moments come for this team that really need to happen, they deliver every time.” Mead is the embodiment of that. But again, it highlights Arsenal’s problem: they will play in the big games, but not every week. The team are European champions but have won just one of the past 13 WSL titles and have more often finished third than second over the past decade.
There is a feeling that Arsenal’s squad may be undergoing a overhaul this summer and they may lose some fan favorites. Mead has been linked with a move to London City Lions, who continue to sign top players. But whatever the future holds, few players have developed Arsenal into the most supported women’s football team in the country like Mead.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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