talkSPORT hosts apologises for dropping F-bomb during passionate plea to Arsenal that was liked by Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema

Jan 13, 2026 - 13:00

Shebahn Aherne quickly apologised after she swore while passionately defending Beth Mead on talkSPORT’s ‘The Kick Back’.

A legend of both Arsenal Women and the Lionesses, Mead has faced criticism from sections of her north London fanbase on social media in recent weeks.

Beth Mead has started seven of Arsenal’s 12 WSL games this season[/caption]

Since joining from Sunderland in January 2017, the England striker has scored 81 goals in 244 games for the Gunners.

During this time she has established herself as one of Arsenal’s standout players, while also starring for her national team.

Mead played a key role both of the Lionesses’ back-to-back European Championship triumphs, as well as winning the Women’s Super League and the 2025 Champions League with her club side.

Despite scooping plenty of individual accolades along the way too, the 30-year-old saw her playing time limited earlier in the season.

Following interest from newly-promoted London City Lionesses in the summer, Mead has had an underwhelming campaign since returning to the starting XI, and is yet to score in 12 WSL games.

While the forward has three goals in the Champions League, her league performances have drawn criticism from fans on social media, with some calling for the club to cash in.

Backing Beth

talkSPORT’s Aherne was not impressed with the calls to sell Mead, who launched into a passionate defence of the Lionesses great.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Kick Back, she argued Arsenal owe it to Mead to repay her service to the club.

Aherne said: “There were such heavy rumours in the summer that Beth was going to leave and that London City had come in and Jocelyn [Precheur, former London City manager] had said to talkSPORT that they want players like Beth in the team.

“But there has to be some romance left in football that you value a player like her- a player who has given everything at the club, who’s still got it.

Mead lifted the Champions League in May 2025, and assisted Stina Blackstenius for the winner in the final[/caption]

The Gunners star also registered a goal and an assist in six games at Euro 2025[/caption]

“Okay, she might have a dip. Okay, she might lose half a yard because she’s getting to that stage of her career, but she hasn’t.”

“When she’s on the pitch, she’ll give you everything, and she’s Arsenal through and through.

“You have to kind of want and love, and have that at a club if you want to build, and people to understand and know what Arsenal is all about.”

‘Excuse my language

Continuing to fight Mead’s corner, Aherne soon found herself in a spot of both, as she swore while urging Arsenal to keep the star.

The talkSPORT presenter continued: “I I hope they renew Beth. I hope they give Beth back what she has done for that club, because she deserves that.

“All of that said, if she went to London City, if she went up to Manchester [City], I’d be happy for her.

Shebahn Aherne passionately defended Beth Mead on talkSPORT’s The Kick Back[/caption]

“But Arsenal should do what they can to keep hold of a player like that, because f*** me, she deserves it.

Recognising the blunder, Aherne immediately added: “Excuse my language.”

And the Scot wasn’t done with her passionate defence, as she reminded fans of the hardships Mead has overcome in recent years – namely suffering an ACL injury in 2022 and the loss of her mum to cancer in 2023.

Aherne added: “And on the subject of the dip before we go, Beth went through the f****** ringer.

“She had a hard, hard time with what she went through.”

Mead and Miedema

With Aherne’s passionate rant being shared on Instagram, it managed to find its way to both Mead, as well as her partner and Manchester City attacker Vivianne Miedema.

Mead’s partner and former Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema gave Aherne’s passionate plea a like on social media

The couple were both seen to have liked the short clip, indicating they appreciated the show of support for Mead.

During her career, the forward has established herself as one of Arsenal and England’s biggest names.

Among her many achievements, Mead was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2022, and won the Golden Boot with six goals in six games as the Lionesses triumphed in historic fashion.

She also provided a tournament-high five assists, while her form for club and country earned her further individual recognition.

Mead was named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year for 2022 and England Player of the Year for 2021/22, as well as finishing as runner-up for the women’s Ballon d’Or award.