Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterAs Beth Mead played her final game at Emirates Stadium, nine seasons in an Arsenal shirt flashed before her eyes.Joining from Sunderland as a 22-year-old in 2017, Mead developed and grew as a player alongside an Arsenal side that was itself evolving. Over time, she became one of the clubs defining figures, greeted by chants of Meado each week and a player who can take huge credit for driving the growth of the womens side in North London.Age 31, Mead brings her Arsenal chapter to a close after nine seasons, with reported interest from clubs including Manchester City Women and London City Lionesses.Latest Videos From You may like Champions League-winning Arsenal defender confirms 'interest' ahead of summer contract expiry Leah Williamson reflects on her 20-year Arsenal journey as she signs new contract Why Mary Earps being honoured at Wembley was important to close the Lionesses saga What is Beth Meads legacy?FourFourTwo's essential 2026 World Cup pack!Get your hands on the newest issue of FourFourTwo - our ultimate World Cup pack! Featuring: Englands American dream, Jordan Pickford and Morgan Rogers, Scotlands return, Mauricio Pochettino Q&A, biggest upsets plus a huge wallchart and preview special!View DealAfter joining Arsenal in 2017, Mead helped Arsenal to the Womens Super League title in 2018/19, the clubs most recent league triumph.She has gone on to make 266 appearances and score 86 goals for the club.As well as the WSL title, her honours list also includes three League Cups, one FIFA Womens Champions Cup and most memorably, a Champions League victory.In that 2025 final against Barcelona, Mead came off the bench in the 68th minute to assist Stina Blackstenius winner - a contribution that summed up her intelligence, awareness and ability to influence games in decisive moments.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.However, her role shifted in her final seasons. Increasingly used as a substitute, it felt like her time at Arsenal was nearing its conclusion.That made her decision in summer 2025 all the more interesting. Despite a lucrative offer from London City Lionesses, Mead chose to stay and fight for her place - a reflection of her love affair with Arsenal.She has always had a connection with the supporters and has regularly said how the club has the best fans in the world. What to read next Alex Scott on Chelsea-Arsenal rivalry in Women's Champions League quarter-final Getting out of bed felt hard. Playing felt impossible: I look back at those periods and I dont really know how I found the strength to get through Kim Littles incredible journey to overcome adversity and lead Arsenal to Champions League glory Football Focus presenter Alex Scott exclusive: 'Those celebrations were fun - because Arsenal had a little surprise concert from my partner, who they forced to get up on stage' Champions League winner shares tales of Jess Glynne party "Meado" A fan favouriteInternationally, Mead became a household name following Euro 2022, where the Lionesses emerged victorious and Mead was named player of the tournament and winner of the Golden Boot.Beth Mead was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year following her Euros success, becoming the first female footballer to win the award, further proof of women's football making it to the mainstream.That success helped drive a surge in WSL attendances, with Arsenal among the biggest beneficiaries, and Mead one of the main faces of that growth.Her impact goes beyond her goal involvement numbers. Meads impact on the growth of womens football at Arsenal cannot be underestimated. She became a fan favourite, admired not only by Arsenal supporters but also respected by opposition fans across the league.Shirts and scarves bearing her name and chants of "Meadoooo" from the stands became a constant at the Emirates.I feel a lot of pride, sadness and happiness - MeadFollowing her final appearance playing in an Arsenal shirt at the Emirates against Everton on Wednesday 13 May, she said: I feel a lot of pride. I feel a lot of sadness. I feel a lot of happiness that this amazing chapter has been part of my life and I've had an amazing chance to play for this amazing club for so long.It's been an emotional day, night and few weeks, but I couldn't be prouder to have done what I've done.I just want to thank the fans for how amazing they've been over the years and how much the game's evolved. We played at Meadow Park and there weren't many people there, but it's evolved. Arsenal will always have the best fans in the world.I'll be able to reflect and be proud of my journey. Not many people get to play at a club for nine and a half years, and it's something I'm proud of, and I've been proud of doing since I started here in 2017. So yeah, I'm going to obviously miss it a lot, but I'm very happy that it's been part of my chapter.Arsenals Director of Womens Football Clare Wheatley added: Beth has made a huge contribution to our football club over nine years, and will go down in history as one of our best forwards and a legend of the club.TOPICSArsenal WomenAyisha GulatiWomen's Football WriterAyisha Gulati is the women's football writer at FourFourTwo. Fresh from a summer covering the Lionesses triumphant Euro 2025 campaign in Switzerland, she brings a passion for all things WSL, UWCL, and international womens football. She has interviewed names including Alessia Russo and Aitana Bonmati and enjoys telling stories that capture the excitement on and off the pitch.
