Miedema steals the show as wasteful Arsenal, Man City play out thriller

LONDON — It was always going to be a blockbuster opening fixture for Women’s Super League (WSL) title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal. But the return of Arsenal’s all-time top scorer Vivianne Miedema, now plying her trade for City after moving on a free transfer this summer, made it even bigger. And, of course, the 28-year-old played a huge part in the 2-2 draw.

With 125 goals from 172 games during her seven-year stint with Arsenal, Miedema once called the Emirates home. But here her job was to upset those she had known and loved for so long. Inside six minutes, the Netherlands international almost did exactly that by netting the opener as she sent a stellar strike from distance inches wide of the goal. But, a minute later, Frida Maanum stole in to give Arsenal the lead.

The Gunners then proceeded to show why they might not miss Miedema as they took control of the game — pressing forward down the flanks and creating chances — and Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius missed a clear-cut opportunity to make it 2-0 as she rounded goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita that would have surely taken things away from City.

But, just before half-time, Miedema did what she does best and stunned the home fans into silence with a 41st-minute equaliser — heavily deflected off Laia Codina. Never one to celebrate a goal much, due to her respect for the opposition, this time it was no different. The midfielder was nonchalant and languid as her new teammates crowded around her to take joy in her first WSL goal wearing a City shirt. The usually boisterous home fans fell eerily silent, and it felt like the momentum of the game had shifted.

Miedema had torn an ACL on the same pitch in December 2022, leading to a 16-month absence before returning for one final goodbye, and nobody knew whether the striker would return with the same goal-scoring prowess. However, following her strike in City’s midweek 4-0 win over Paris FC in a UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier, and now this, it’s clear the instinctive nature and confidence in finishing have not diminished. Even in the face of such an emotional return.

“There would’ve been some nice moments for her today, but I’m sure there’s one she would’ve been happy that it’s been put to bed now,” City manager Gareth Taylor said afterwards. “I had some good conversations with Viv all week, and I could tell that this game was one that she just wasn’t comfortable with, and we understand all of the reasons why. It’s really difficult when you go back to a former club particularly going back to a club where you’ve been [for] so long.

“When you think back physically what that does to you and mentally the game you are going into against her old team, it’s not like she was an Arsenal player two or three years ago and it’s the first time she’s come back here. She was an Arsenal player up until the last game of last season. So it’s really tough. I think when you factor all of those things in, we knew that she probably wouldn’t be able to go the full tilt.”

Before her move, a source had previously told ESPN that it would be “stupid” to allow Miedema to head to a WSL rival, knowing the accolades — all-time WSL top scorer, two Golden Boot awards, one league and three Continental Cup titles, as well as being shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or three times (2019, 2021 and 2022) — she collected when fully fit. This is what Taylor knew when pursuing her signature.

“When I first came into the women’s game, she was one of the players that immediately caught my eye,” he said during pre-season. “Top, top talent, an interesting character; you need to really get to know Viv, to know how she works, to know how she operates. But I think what we have got is when fully fit and firing, like a highly, highly talented player, who for us has the ability to play in the attacking midfield positions for us. So that gives us another dynamic as well.”

Ironically, the qualities Miedema has brought to City — intelligence, clinical finishing, creativity — were the exact qualities that Arsenal lacked in the afternoon’s display. Having run the show in the early exchanges, Arsenal struggled to reassert themselves and Blackstenius missed another glorious chance when through one-vs.-one with the goalkeeper just before the break. Then, early in the second half, after Caitlin Foord’s goal was ruled out for offside, Jess Park’s stunner put City ahead.

On 64 minutes, Miedema’s partner, Beth Mead, and Alessia Russo arrived off the bench for Arsenal, with Russo wasting another one-vs.-one by firing straight at the goalkeeper as she raced through. A minute later, Miedema’s game was over as she departed to a warm reception. But, just four minutes after that, Mead levelled to ensure the points were shared. Probably a fair result on the balance of play.

While it is impossible to tell whether Miedema will be City’s title decider yet — it’s only been one WSL game after all — her impact has been clear. And Taylor believes the best is yet to come.

“I think that we just need to coax that talent out to be the very best for us, and the early signs have been good,” he said. “The way she’s adapted, because don’t forget she’s a player who’s been at one club for a long time, so there’s going to be a settling-in period for sure.”

Now that the hardest game of the season is behind her, Miedema will be keen to prove that Arsenal made a mistake in letting her go.

“You could see on the pitch at times that I’m back to being old me, and I can spread some passes and score some goals,” she said afterwards. “I think that’s the only thing I need to focus on right now and keep on going. I’m happy I stayed in England; I’m happy I stayed in the league. I feel free, I feel like I can be myself, and that’s really what I needed.

“I wanted to be respectful for the fans who have stood by me for the last seven years and are still standing by me, so I think I did the right thing in that sense. Coming back here today, mainly the focus was on surviving and getting through that game,. Then everything else that came with that was just a bonus.”