LONDON — The opening game was set to be a huge success for Women's Super League (WSL) title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal. But the return of Arsenal's all-time leading scorer Vivianne Miedema, who now plays for City after being signed on a free transfer this summer, made it even more spectacular. And of course, the 28-year-old played a pivotal role in the 2-2 draw.
With 125 goals in 172 games during her seven years at Arsenal, Miedema once called the Emirates home. But here her job was to surprise those she had known and loved for so long. Within six minutes, the Dutch international almost did exactly that, scoring the opener with a stellar shot from distance that went just inches wide of the target. But a minute later, Frida Maanum snuck over to give Arsenal the lead.
The Gunners then showed why Miedema could not be missed by taking control of the game, pressing down the flanks and creating chances, and Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius missed a clear chance to make it 2-0 by eluding goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita who would surely have taken things away from City.
But just before the break, Miedema did what she does best and stunned the home fans with a 41st-minute equaliser, which was deflected in by Laia Codina. This time was no different, as she is not one to celebrate goals much due to her respect for the opposition. The midfielder looked listless and listless as her new team-mates crowded around her to celebrate her first WSL goal in a City shirt. The usually boisterous home fans fell eerily silent and it seemed the tempo of the match had changed.
Miedema had ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on the same pitch in December 2022, leading to a 16-month absence before returning for a final farewell, and it was anyone’s guess whether the forward would return with the same goalscoring prowess. However, after her goal in City’s 4-0 midweek win over Paris FC in a UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier – and now this one – it’s clear that instinctive nature and confidence in finishing has not diminished, even in the face of such an emotional return.
“She would have had some good moments today, but I'm sure there's one she would have been happy to have gotten over,” City manager Gareth Taylor said afterwards. “I've had some good conversations with Viv throughout the week, and I could tell this game was one she just wasn't comfortable with, and we understand all the reasons why she wasn't. It's really difficult when you come back to a former club, especially when you come back to a club you've been at.” [for] see you around.
“When you think about what that does to you physically and what it does to you mentally in the game you're going into against her old team, it's not like she was an Arsenal player two or three years ago and it's her first time back here. She was an Arsenal player until the last game of last season. So it's very tough. I think when you take all those things into account, we knew she probably wouldn't be able to perform at her best.”
Prior to her signing, a source had previously told ESPN that it would be “stupid” to allow Miedema to leave for a WSL rival, knowing the accolades (all-time WSL top scorer, two Golden Boot awards, one league title and three Continental Cups, as well as being shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or three times (2019, 2021 and 2022)) she received when she was in top form. This is what Taylor knew when looking to sign her.
“When I first started playing in women's football, she was one of the players that immediately caught my eye,” she said during pre-season. “A great talent, an interesting character; you need to really get to know Viv, know how she works, know how she operates. But I think what we have is a player who is in top form and in top form, with a lot, a lot of talent, who for us has the ability to play in attacking midfield positions. So that gives us another dynamic as well.”
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Vivianne Miedema scores against her former club Arsenal as Manchester City equalise
Manchester City's Vivianne Miedema silences her celebrations as she scores against her former club Arsenal to draw the score 1-1.
Ironically, the qualities Miedema has brought to City – intelligence, precision finishing, creativity – were exactly the qualities Arsenal lacked in that afternoon’s display. Having dominated the game in the early stages, Arsenal struggled to reassert themselves and Blackstenius missed another glorious chance when she was left alone with the keeper just before the break. Then, early in the second half, after Caitlin Foord’s goal had been ruled out for offside, Jess Park’s spectacular goal put City ahead.
In the 64th minute, Miedema's team-mate Beth Mead and Alessia Russo came on as substitutes for Arsenal, and Russo wasted another one-on-one by shooting straight at the goalkeeper as she made her way through. A minute later, Miedema's game was over as she walked off to a warm reception. But, just four minutes later, Mead equalised to secure the points share. Probably a fair result given the balance of the game.
While it is impossible to know yet whether Miedema will be City's title-deciding player (it was only one WSL game, after all), her impact has been clear. And Taylor believes the best is yet to come.
“I think we just have to convince that talented player to be the best for us, and the first signs have been good,” he said. “The way she has adapted, because you can't forget that she is a player who has been at a club for a long time, so there is sure to be an adaptation period.”
Now that the toughest game of the season is behind her, Miedema will be eager to prove that Arsenal made a mistake in letting her go.
