Vivianne Miedema Set to Depart Arsenal After Seven-Year Stint
Arsenal Football Club has confirmed that striker Vivianne Miedema will be leaving the team at the end of the season, marking the conclusion of a memorable seven-year journey with the Gunners.
The Netherlands international, who joined Arsenal from Bayern Munich in 2017, leaves behind an impressive legacy, having scored 125 goals and provided 50 assists in 172 appearances for the club.
Miedema’s contributions were pivotal in Arsenal’s success, including winning the Women’s Super League title in 2018-19 and securing three Women’s League Cups during her time in north London.
While her departure comes as a surprise to many fans, BBC Sport understands that Arsenal opted not to renew Miedema’s contract, with Manchester City expressing interest in signing the 27-year-old once she becomes a free agent.
In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram, Miedema expressed her gratitude and reflected on her time at Arsenal: “To have represented a club like this, with so much history and tradition, has been an absolute honour. So above all else, I would like to say thank you for making this chapter of my life so memorable.”
Her sentiments were echoed in a letter titled ‘So long, Arsenal’ posted on the club’s Instagram, where Miedema acknowledged the impact of her teammates and the club’s environment on her development as a player.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, praised Miedema’s exceptional performances, stating that she has created countless wonderful memories during her tenure with the club.
BBC Sport journalist Emma Sanders highlighted Miedema’s remarkable career at Arsenal, describing her as a phenomenal player who has been instrumental in the team’s pursuit of silverware. Sanders noted that while Miedema faced challenges, including recovering from an ACL injury, her talent and goal-scoring prowess remain undeniable.
As Miedema prepares to embark on a new chapter in her football journey, her departure leaves a significant void at Arsenal, with Manchester City poised to engage in discussions with the prolific striker, potentially adding even more firepower to their already formidable squad.