In the last few Arsenal Women match days, the England Lionesses forward, Beth Mead, seemed to have lost her spot in Arsenal Women’s starting lineup. Mariona Caldentey and Caitlin Foord playing through the wings have re-activated the Arsenal attack. When playing on the wing, Beth Mead prefers to tuck in and play centrally, whereas Foord previously held the width on the left. Now that Mariona has joined the team, she is providing what Foord used to do on the left wing, while Foord is occupying the width on the right to balance the Arsenal attacking equation.
Speaking to the media on Friday ahead of the clash with Aston Villa this Sunday, Beth Mead opened up about how she goes about pushing to reclaim her spot in the Arsenal starting 11. When asked if she is looking to change her style or stick to it in the hopes that it will pay off, she said, “The game is an ever evolving game and as a player you have to be ever evolving. I was a nine and I became a winger. That is why I like to be inside and closer to the goal but I am a good winger and can put in a good cross from out wide as well.
“Ultimately I know that I can do what I do at a good level but I know I need to be able to do both of those things at my level because that makes the manager’s decision harder because I think I can do both those things.
“I back myself as a player I have been training hard and well and I am trying to give Renee a headache. But it is great in terms of the competition and it only makes us better as individuals. I don’t want to be sat on the bench but it makes you better as a player and a person.”
The one thing we ought to appreciate interim manager Renee Slegers for is how she’s been able to get the best out of this Arsenal team. She seems to have discovered what the best Arsenal team is, and she’s been bold in her team selections. Jonas Eidevall was a top coach, but his major undoing at times was opting for names instead of picking players based on merit.
That said, even if a player like Beth Mead has found herself not starting, she’s still got to play a major role. Renee hasn’t been shy about making substitutions, and notably, she’s made them at the right time, which has seen players end up contributing even off the bench, including Mead.
That said, it is worth appreciating how brilliant Caitlin Foord has been this season. She was expected to be the casualty of Mariona Caldentey’s arrival, but instead she’s taken advantage of her experience and versatility and made herself undroppable. If it were not for her resurgence, Mead wouldn’t have been warming the bench one suspects.
What are your thoughts Gooners?
Michelle M
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Before I start can I just say the meads attitude seems to be spot on, and she realizes that she is going to have to fight for her first team place, and credit to her for that.
That said, Its more of a squad game these days. So players need to adapt to whenever they play, whether that be from the start or from the bench.
Any player, and I mean any player that isn’t willing to be a part of that needs to go and join a smaller club in terms of stature (no offence intended), if they want to be a regular starter.
Lets face it, when your at one of the biggest clubs.
Whoever that might be, your going to face stiff opposition for places. If your not willing to fight for your place, then don’t join said big teams.
It’s that simple.
Hi Michelle, Meado makes good sense and Derek is correct about the squad, b/.c our squad is the best and we must play to our strengths. .My thoughts on the subject are that Meado is our best player when she s on fire, it s Renee s task therefore to keep that fire burning bright, however she uses her skills tactically, actually i don t think she should have been shunted onto the wing by a previous manager…i think it was to give way to Viv, yes Beth s a great winger /. crosser but she s more lethal in front of goal, so i can understand her cutting infield, i m glad she scored today against Villa, Russo has hit really super form and that s great but i would play Beth at inside right and never leave her out of the starting 11 ….she s done so well to come back from an ACL and can reach her very best with good support, which i feel Renee is very capable of providing
Hi Michelle, Meado makes good sense and Derek is correct about the squad, b/.c our squad is the best in the WSL and we must play to our strengths. .My thoughts on the subject are that Meado is A TREMEDOUS ASSET when she s on fire, it s Renee s task therefore to keep that fire burning as brightly as possible, however she uses her skills tactically, ok competition can sharpen performance but actually i don t think she should have been shunted onto the wing by a previous manager…i think it was to give way to Viv, and yes Beth s a great winger /. crosser of the ball but imho she s more lethal in front of goal, so i can understand her cutting infield, i m glad she scored today against Villa, Alessia Russo has hit really super form and that s great but i would play Beth at inside right and never leave her out of the starting 11 ….she s done so well to come back from an ACL and can reach her very best with good support, which i feel Renee is very capable of providing