After seven years at Arsenal, the all-time leading goalscorer in the Barclays Women’s Super League, Vivianne Miedema, has announced her departure from the club. The 27-year-old Dutch striker confirmed that the upcoming match against Brighton and Hove Albion will be her last with the club as her contract expires in the summer. Any potential suitors for Miedema next season will not have to pay a transfer fee for her services.
Miedema joined Arsenal in 2017 from FC Bayern Munich, with her talents shining during the UEFA Women’s Euro that same summer where her goals helped the Netherlands claim their first major tournament victory in women’s football. She made an immediate impact at Arsenal, with her coach at the time, Pedro Martínez Losa, hailing her as one of the best young strikers in the world. Miedema’s standout season came during Arsenal’s championship-winning campaign in the Women’s Super League, where she set a league record with 22 goals in 20 matches.
However, Miedema’s time at Arsenal was marked by some near misses, with the club finishing as league runners-up and falling short in FA Cup and Continental Cup final appearances. Despite being linked with moves to FC Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain, Miedema opted to stay at Arsenal, stating that winning titles with the club meant more to her than winning with any other team. She expressed her desire to continue developing and winning trophies with Arsenal in the future.
Injuries have plagued Miedema’s recent seasons, with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament sidelining her for ten months and leading to her missing out on significant tournaments. Despite her struggles with injuries, Miedema continued to set records in the Women’s Super League, becoming the first woman to score 50 goals in 50 appearances and winning the Golden Boot multiple times. In her 172 appearances for Arsenal, she has been involved in 175 goals, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest players to have graced the Women’s Super League.
Arsenal Sporting Director Edu Gaspar and Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley paid tribute to Miedema for her outstanding contributions to the club. Gaspar highlighted Miedema’s goal-scoring prowess and the memorable moments she created during her time at Arsenal. Wheatley acknowledged Miedema’s special place in the hearts of the Arsenal supporters and wished her the best in her future endeavors. As Miedema prepares to depart Arsenal, she leaves behind a legacy of excellence and unforgettable performances in the Women’s Super League.
