Striker Beth Mead in action during Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Reading in the Women’s Super League. PHOTO: JAMES WHITEHEAD/SPP

FROM the rain in Reading to high praise in Paris – it has been a fair few days for Arsenal forward Beth Mead.

Having helped fire England to European Championship glory this summer, Mead was named runner-up in the women’s Ballon d’Or on Monday night, finishing second to Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas.

The ceremony certainly beat the wind and rain at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, where just 24 hours earlier Mead had helped Arsenal maintain their perfect start to the season in the Women’s Super League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Reading.

Stina Blackstenius scored the winner, finding the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area. The result leaves the Gunners second in the table, behind Manchester United.

On going to press, it was back to France as Arsenal kicked off their campaign in the UEFA Women’s Champions League’s group stage last night (Wednesday) against Lyon.