Beth Mead channelled Olympics disappointment into ‘best form of career’

A year on from her Olympics disappointment, Beth Mead is preparing for a home Euros feeling she has been in the finest form of her career – and can produce even better.

The Arsenal winger was among the notable players not included by Hege Riise in the Great Britain squad for last summer’s Tokyo Olympics.

Mead has bounced back in some style, going on to register 11 goals and eight assists across Arsenal’s 2021-22 Women’s Super League campaign and score 12 times in 10 England appearances.

“I’ve channelled the negative energy into positive energy from last summer through this season, and long may that continue.

“I’m super happy with how my season has gone, but I still want to do better, still think I can do better and still think I have a lot more to give. So hopefully I can show that in this Euros.

“(After) my disappointment of last year, I had the chance to rest, recover, switch off and then come into pre-season and play the best football I’ve played.

“I’ve been lucky enough that the likes of Jonas (Eidevall, the Arsenal manager) and Sarina have given me the confidence – they’ve started me in big games, and I’ve performed in them. Also my team-mates have been great, so it isn’t all down to me. But I’ve been in a free and confident headspace recently.”

The midfielder was another not included by Riise for the Olympics, and had previously been ruled out of the 2019 World Cup by injury.

Mead said: “I’m one of Jordan’s close friends, I took it just as bad as her I think. I think anyone who knows Jordan knows how much of an amazing person and footballer she is, and she’s had a lot of bad luck around injuries.

“It’s going to be a difficult period for her, but myself and all the other girls will be behind her. I’m super gutted for Jordan and hopefully she can recover well and come out fighting next season.”

And she said of Steph Houghton, the skipper for the last three major tournaments who has made the 28 as she continues to recover from Achilles surgery: “She is an amazing role model for myself and a lot of other people, and she’s someone we want in our squad. It’s great she gets the opportunity to come away, train and prove to Sarina why she deserves to be in that squad (when it is cut down to a final 23).”

Asked about England’s prospects at the showpiece on home soil, Mead added: “Obviously our main goal is to win the tournament.

“We know the competitiveness, the countries involved – it’s going to be very, very tough. But we believe in our ability and we just can’t wait to go in.”

And she said: “I think it’s amazing from McDonalds to be providing this initiative for kids to have free access to play football and feel comfortable in a really safe environment.

“Fingers crossed this summer goes really well and the Euros has an impact on girls and boys and makes them want to be involved in the game more.”

:: McDonald’s Fun Football is offering one million kids access to FREE football over the next four years as part of the largest grassroots football programme in the UK. Start your kids football journey by visiting McDonalds.co.uk/Football