Miedema follows Mead as Arsenal star confirms ACL injury and will miss World Cup

The Arsenal goal machine went off injured in her side's Women's Champions League tie against Lyon on Thursday in tears and the star says she 'knew straight away' that it was serious.

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The Women's Super League's all-time top goal scorer was stretchered off at the end of the first-half after going down under no contact, having received lengthy treatment on the pitch.

Now, the Netherlands star has taken to social media to reveal she's ruptured her ACL.

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"Absolutely gutted to share I've ruptured my ACL in our last game against Lyon," she wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.

"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 time."

Meanwhile Arsenal also released a statement saying: "We can confirm that Vivianne Miedema suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during our UEFA Women's Champions League match against Lyon at Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

"Viv will undergo surgery in the coming days and will unfortunately be ruled out for an extended period of time. A more detailed timescale will be established once the operation is complete.

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"Everyone at Arsenal wishes Viv well in her recovery and will be providing her with all the support she needs to return to action as soon as possible."

The 26-year-old's injury will come as a real blow to Jonas Eidevall's side as they look to win their first WSL title since 2019, given she's scored 114 goals in 132 appearances after signing in 2017.

It'll also spell trouble for the Netherlands at next summer's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as she confirmed in her statement that she will likely miss the tournament.

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But the star has highlighted how grateful she is that she has a great support system, including her partner, fellow Arsenal star and Lionesses forward Beth Mead - who is also recovering from an ACL injury.

"I'm lucky enough to have amazing teammates, 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," she wrote.

"Can't wait to do some boxing in the gym after she's been annoying me for a while."

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Mead responded to her partner's joke, writing 'Boxing gloves at the ready, we got this', along with a boxing glove emoji.

Miedema and Mead's injuries highlight a concerning, growing trend in women's football that's seen a large number of players sustain ACL injuries recently.

Barcelona midfielder and high profile women's footballer Alexia Putellas missed the Women's European Champions after also rupturing her ACL the day before the tournament and is still recovering.

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