In the 79th minute of Wednesday's match in the fourth round of the FA Cup, Ilestedt was substituted in. It was her first appearance on the football pitch in almost a year.
It's something I've been training for a very long time, and to finally get the opportunity to be back and for everything to work feels incredibly cool, says the 32-year-old national team defender to Aftonbladet.
Took in special trainer
Last March, she took a break from football after becoming pregnant. Last autumn, she and partner Rainer Müller became parents to a daughter.
And now she's ready to play at the highest level again, and thanks Arsenal for the help she received during her pregnancy. The English top club brought in a trainer with knowledge of pregnancy in combination with sports.
I'm the first player who has become pregnant, had a child, and wanted to come back. They didn't have much experience either, but wanted to support in the best possible way. I'm incredibly grateful that the club has been so professional about it and really supportive throughout the whole process, says Ilestedt.
European Championship dream
That hasn't always been a given for female elite football players.
There's a whole different safety net now, which makes it easier. It should be a given, really. Why shouldn't you be able to have a family and continue your career?
She hopes to soon be able to make a comeback in the Swedish national team. This summer's European Championship in Switzerland is a dream, she admits.
Absolutely. I won't hide that.
