Vivianne Miedema, the star striker for Arsenal Women’s Football Club, will be leaving the team at the end of the season after seven successful years. The announcement was made by the club, revealing that they have decided not to renew Miedema’s contract. It is believed that Manchester City is interested in signing the 27-year-old once she becomes a free agent.
Miedema’s time at Arsenal has been nothing short of phenomenal. Since joining the club from Bayern Munich in 2017, she has scored an impressive 125 goals and provided 50 assists in 172 appearances. She is the all-time top-scorer in the Women’s Super League (WSL) with 79 goals and has won the Golden Boot twice. In addition, Miedema has lifted the WSL title in 2018-19 and three Women’s League Cups during her tenure with the Gunners.
However, Miedema’s recent seasons have been plagued by injuries. In December 2022, she suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, which kept her on the sidelines for 10 months. She made her comeback in October 2023 but underwent minor knee surgery in March, limiting her playing time to just 13 games this season.
In a heartfelt video posted on Instagram, Miedema expressed her gratitude towards Arsenal and its fans. She described representing a club with such history and tradition as an absolute honor and thanked everyone for making this chapter of her life so memorable. In a letter titled ‘So long, Arsenal,’ Miedema further expressed her appreciation for being part of the group of players that has inspired her to be the best she can be.
The decision not to renew Miedema’s contract comes at a time when Arsenal is investing in their squad and backing manager Jonas Eidevall to build a strong team. While Miedema has been a key player for Arsenal, she has faced competition for a place in the starting lineup and has had to rotate positions as a number nine and a number ten.
Miedema’s talent is widely recognized across Europe, and it is no surprise that there is interest in her from other clubs. Manchester City, in particular, is expected to engage in discussions with the Dutch striker once she becomes a free agent. This move would be significant for City, as they already have a squad bursting with quality. Miedema would provide competition and depth to City’s attack, joining forces with this season’s WSL top scorer Khadija Shaw.
Despite her recent injury setbacks, Miedema is a natural goalscorer and will undoubtedly make an impact wherever she goes next. Her departure from Arsenal marks the end of an era for the club, but her legacy as one of the greatest players in WSL history is secure. As Miedema embarks on a new chapter in her career, fans will be eagerly watching to see where she lands and the success she continues to achieve.