Goldie on ACL recovery & Arsenal role models

(From left to right) Arsenal's Teyah Goldie, Kim Little and Beth Mead have all suffered ACL injuries [Getty Images]

Arsenal academy graduate Teyah Goldie is back in the England under-23s squad after a "very hard" recovery from two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

Goldie, 20, is on loan at Women's Championship side London City Lionesses this season as she looks to build game time and consistency.

"It was a very hard and interesting two years. It’s obviously not the situation I thought I would be in," said Goldie.

"In a weird way, the time has flown and I always knew it would be my goal at some point this season to get myself back into the England set-up.

"I’ve been lucky enough to be playing so far this season so it’s been good to find some more consistency again and I’m really happy to be back."

Goldie was not alone in her ACL recovery, with several Arsenal team-mates also suffering from the injury, including England internationals Leah Williamson and Beth Mead.

But Goldie looked to experienced players - club captain Kim Little and former Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs - as inspiration to return.

"Unfortunately there are lots of role models. You don’t want that to be the situation," said Goldie.

"I was obviously surrounded by some pretty impressive people and characters. There’s a lot who have been through it.

"You might not even know they have been through that, particularly Kim because it was a while ago, but then you look at the level she is playing at… her fitness and everything is just incredible.

"They are the people you look up to and think 'if they can do it, there’s no reason I can’t.'"

[BBC]