Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers admits it will be strange to see Beth Mead in a different shirt next season, but challenged her squad to give the England forward a fitting send-off over their final two games.
The 31-year-old announced in an emotional video on Monday that she would be leaving the Gunners when her contract expires this summer, bringing an end to nine seasons at the club, where she won the 2018/19Women's Super League title and also last season's Champions League final.
Mead, who joined the Gunners from Sunderland in 2017, made 265 appearances for the club, scoring 86 goals.
Slegers revealed there had been "honest and transparent conversations" between Mead and the club over her future, which was eventually determined would be away from the Emirates Stadium.
"She has done so much for the club, so it is going to be strange to see her in another shirt," the Arsenal boss told a press conference.
"The club is grateful for all the time that we have had with Beth - and let's make it a last two really good games."
During her time at Arsenal, Mead made her England debut and went on to play a key role for the Lionesses as they won the Euros in 2022. She was named player of the tournament and was also part of the England squad that defended their Euros title in 2025.
"Leaving this club isn't easy," Mead said. "I don't think any words will truly be enough for what this club means to me.
"It breaks my heart in ways I didn't expect, but I leave it with so much love, pride and so much gratitude.
"Arsenal will always be a part of me, always."
Director of women's football Clare Wheatley added: "Beth has made a huge contribution to our football club over nine years, and will go down in history as one of our best forwards and a legend of the club.
"Beth is such a special person and will always be welcome at Arsenal. I know our supporters will join me in wishing Beth happiness and success in her future endeavours."
Arsenal also announced that defender Laia Codina and midfielder Victoria Pelova will also leave the club at the end of the season when their contracts expire.
The Gunners host Everton on Wednesday night looking to get themselves back up into second in the battle with Chelsea for automatic qualification to the Champions League.
"We are going to go for second place now," Slegers said.
"(Man) City has done really well this season, but of course, that is frustration and fuel for us to try and achieve more next year."
Analysis from Your Site' Laura Hunter:
Mead has enjoyed some magic moments at Arsenal. None more special than the wonderful assist for Stina Blackstenius' winner in last year's Champions League final. It was fitting that a player who has lived and breathed Arsenal for the best part of a decade was so influential in a game of that magnitude.
She's scored 86 goals for Arsenal, but that exquisite pass to unlock Barcelona will perhaps be remembered as her crowning moment.
The 31-year-old has of course also been monumental for England over the years, changing the course of history on and off the pitch. As well as being a double European champion, she continues to be an active ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Action, supporting them in memory of her late mother.
She is a pleasure to speak to. A highly likeable and humble character who doesn't take herself too seriously but is equally dedicated to her craft. She cares deeply about football. She cares about people too. Her presence will no doubt be missed by many at London Colney after such an impactful nine years.
Indeed her departure, alongside Codina and Pelova, marks a change in direction at Arsenal as they seek to reinvent a side capable of challenging for the WSL under Renee Slegers. They haven't won the title since 2018/19.
Work is clearly under way to address that reality.
Analysis from Your Site News reporter Uma Gurav:
Arsenal fans would've known this one was coming - but saying goodbye to Beth Mead is like saying goodbye to the heartbeat of this team. She has been through so very much here. In her emotional goodbye video, she speaks about rupturing her ACL in 2022 and the difficult journey it took to return. But return, she did.
Last summer in Lisbon, she helped bring Arsenal fans a moment they'll never forget. It was Mead who provided the assist for Stina Blackstenius' Champions League winning goal.
She leaves this club also with a WSL title, three League Cups and a Champions Cup to her name. And manager Renee Slegers told us today that Mead also leaves an immeasurable legacy.
"She's an amazing character," she said. "She is something special, on and off the pitch."
She added: " For me, it's been a privilege to work with Beth. Every day of it was joyful, even though there's always hard times when you're in a team, when you're working with people. But I have so much respect for Beth and what she's done for the club."
It is not just Mead who is on her way out of Arsenal this summer. Midfielder Victoria Pelova and defender Laia Codina will also leave the club as Arsenal begin something of a squad revamp.
And these departures are an indication of the direction this team are trying to go. They may have won the Champions League last year in fantastic fashion, but the WSL has eluded them now for seven years.
They lost just one WSL game all season - and yet have somehow not managed a title victory. There is an acute awareness that despite recent European achievement, they have to do better in the league.
"Yes, there is disappointment," admitted Slegers.
She added: "For us, if you look at it so far, only one loss and the run we're on now, it's a frustration, of course, that we weren't able to, especially the draws, to get them over the line."
As this club say goodbye to Mead, they close the door on a glittering era which has no doubt brought fantastic moments and plenty of silverware. But it's time for them now to open the door to a new chapter - one which, make no mistake about it, has to start with a WSL title.
On Tuesday, Arsenal also confirmed they will play all of their Women's Super League matches at the Emirates Stadium again next season.
The Gunners will play 13 league matches in total at the club's north London home.
The club also announced thatArsenal will still play cup games and Champions League league phase matches at Meadow Park, while any potential Champions League knock-out rounds will be played at the Emirates.
On the decision, an Arsenal statement said: "Arsenal has today confirmed that all Barclays Women's Super League matches will return to Emirates Stadium for a second consecutive season.A total of 13 WSL games will be played at the team's north London home across the 2026/27 season, accounting for the additional two teams joining the league next season.
"It follows a record-breaking half a million tickets sold across the 25/26 campaign so far in all competitions, a 10% increase on last season. This includes a record 17,000 seasonal members, contributing to an average attendance of 34,677 across Arsenal's 10 WSL matches so far."
Arsenal head coach Renee Slegerssaid: "We're so excited to return to the Emirates. This season, we've again experienced the incredible connection between the club and our supporters. Their passion, energy and unwavering support continues to inspire us to keep pushing forward.
"We're proud of the progress we continue to make together, and we look forward to building on that momentum next season."
