Arsenal star Victoria Pelova is the latest women's football star to suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the Gunners confirmed.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Pelova injured while on Netherlands dutyMidfielder diagnosed with ACL injuryGunners confirm she will undergo surgeryWHAT HAPPENED?
The midfielder sustained the injury in the early stages of Netherlands' Euro 2025 qualifying match against Finland last week. The 25-year-old has since undergone testing and the Gunners have announced she will undergo surgery.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT ARSENAL SAID
A statement from the north London club read: "We can confirm that Victoria Pelova suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the Netherlands against Finland on Tuesday 4 June.
"Victoria was substituted after her knee extended in the 12th minute of the Netherlands’ UEFA Women’s Championship qualifier in Tampere, Finland, and subsequently underwent testing to determine the extent of the injury.
"She will undergo surgery in due course and will be sidelined for an extended period.
"Everyone at the club will now be supporting Victoria through her recovery and return to action."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The women's game has been plagued by ACL injuries in recent years and Pelova is just the latest in a long list of players to have been ruled out for an extended period. The likes of Chelsea stars Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel, Arsenal trio Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, Manchester United defender Gabby George and Leicester winger Hannah Cain are among the players in England to have recently suffered ACL issues.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PELOVA?
The Netherlands star will soon undergo surgery and begin her recovery from the ACL injury. She will hope to return to play a role in Arsenal's Women's Super League as the Gunners aim to steal the title from Chelsea.