Lionesses star Beth Mead pulls out of Arsenal's final pre-season U.S. game to create injury concern ahead of the Gunners' crucial Champions League qualifiers

Mead maintained her place in Jonas Eidevall's line-up after starting against the Washington Spirit last weekend, with the coach changing things elsewhere as Frida Maanum, Kathrine Kuhl and the academy trio of Vivienne Lia, Katie Reid and Freya Godfrey all made way. In came Laura Wienroither, Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord and summer signing Rosa Kafaji, who impressed in that victory over the Spirit.

However, a late change had to be made before kick-off in Washington D.C. as Mead had to pull out of the team after the warm-up, with her place on the right wing taken by the versatile Kuhl.

In a post on X, Arsenal did not offer much detail on the England star's absence, but simply said: "Kuhl has replaced Mead in the XI as a precaution following the warm-up."

The Gunners were also without another Lioness on Sunday, as Lotte Wubben-Moy was missing from the squad. The defender played 45 minutes off the bench against the Spirit last week, but could not feature in the final match of the U.S. tour due to a quad problem. Eidevall told reporters after the match that her absence was also 'precautionary'.

The coach will hope that both players are able to return to action quickly, as Arsenal have Champions League qualifiers on the horizon. The Gunners face Rangers on September 4 and if victorious, they will then face Atletico Madrid or Rosenborg on September 7 for a place in the second round of qualifying.