What a boost! Lionesses star Beth Mead to return for Arsenal's crucial Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg after missing Rangers win

After missing the team's final two pre-season fixtures, Mead was unavailable for Arsenal's first qualifying match against Rangers on Wednesday night. The Gunners were also without Australia defender Steph Catley due to a knock, along with long-term absentees Lina Hurtig and Victoria Pelova. However, they still managed to come through as 6-0 winners thanks to a four-goal display from Caitlin Foord, who took Mead's place on the right.

Jonas Eidevall's side looked sharp in that victory and they will need to be as impressive on Saturday, despite not facing the opponent most expected. Many would have predicted Atletico Madrid to come through the other qualifying match in this section of the draw, but Norwegian side Rosenborg prevailed after a dramatic penalty shootout and will now take on Arsenal for a place in the second round of qualifying.

Arsenal fell short at this stage last year, defeated by Paris FC. The French side claimed another huge scalp on their way to the group stage, too, when they knocked out Wolfsburg in the second round, just a few months after the German giants had contested the 2022-23 Champions League final with Barcelona.

That failure will make the Gunners even more motivated to emerge victorious this weekend, then, and having Mead back available for the match will only boost their chances of making it through to the next stage of qualifying.