Beth Mead played for an hour in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion – the Gunners’ fifth consecutive WSL win [Mariella Prew/SPP]

IT’S been a big couple of days for Arsenal striker Beth Mead.

On Tuesday the fit-again forward was handed her first England call-up in over a year ahead of two crunch Nations League fixtures next month. The Lionesses face the Netherlands at Wembley next Friday, December 1, before travelling to Hampden Park to play Scotland on Tuesday, December 5.

Mead was buzzing even before the international recall after making her first start for the Gunners since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

She lasted just over an hour against Brighton & Hove Albion at Broadfield Stadium on Sunday – a match that Arsenal won 3-0 thanks to goals from Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum.

Taking to social media after the north Londoner’s fifth consecutive WSL win, Mead posted: “Football is full of ups and downs but yesterday was an up. A year to the day since rupturing my ACL and topped off with a win. Proud of my team, even prouder of the support from our fans. Absolutely incredible.”