Arsenal midfielder Pelova ruptures ACL

Arsenal midfielder Victoria Pelova has ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while connected world work for nan Netherlands, nan nine has confirmed.

The 25-year-old was substituted successful nan 12th infinitesimal of her country's Uefa Championship qualifying 1-1 tie pinch Finland past week aft injuring her knee.

She is group to acquisition room and will beryllium retired for an extended period.

Pelova is nan latest successful a succession of Arsenal players sidelined by ACL injuries successful nan past 18 months, pursuing forwards Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and defender Leah Williamson.

Research suggests female footballers are betwixt 2 and six times much apt to suffer ACL injuries than their antheral counterparts, but arsenic of yet location is "no proven cause".

Dr Katrine Okholm Kryger, a elder teacher successful sports medicine astatine St Mary's University successful London who specialises successful football, said caller discussions person focused connected whether nan wounded consequence is activity related - nan female anatomy and hormones, aliases whether it could beryllium gender related - nan measurement female athletes are raised and managed compared to antheral athletes.

In April, Fifpro, nan Professional Footballers' Association, Nike and Leeds Beckett University announced a three-year blueprint titled "Project ACL", which will behaviour investigation into ACL tears.