As the Netherlands’ all-time top goal scorer, it is no shock that Vivianne Miedema has had some real moments of magic during her time at Arsenal.
Joining the North London club in May 2017, Miedema has scored 126 goals and provided 51 assists for the Gunners. Here are some of the striker’s highlights with the club:
Record goal involvements in a single game: Arsenal v Bristol City 11-1
In the Gunners’ WSL fixture against Bristol City during the 2019-20 season, Miedema really stole the show.
Scoring the league’s first ever double hat-trick (as well as assisting a further four goals) is no small feat and the achievement is yet to be reproduced.
The first of her goals was assisted by Swiss midfielder Lia Walti, who’s cross she let drop before slotting it past the four defenders in the box.
For her second, a cross from Beth Mead found her at the far post ready to tap the ball in.
Lisa Evans then delivered the ball into the area to complete the treble, and Miedema timed the run perfectly to send the ball deflecting off of Frankie Brown, nestling it into the bottom right corner.
Her fourth goal was assisted by fellow Dutch international, Danielle van de Donk, and the striker passed the ball onto her right foot before curling it in, gaining Arsenal their sixth.
Evans was back with the assist on Miedema’s fifth goal, sending the cross in and playing the space left open by the Robins.
Topping off her double hat-trick and making it ten for the Gunners, Miedema let a rocket of a goal go soaring into the back of the net.
The Dutch international was involved in all but one goal, assisting Leah Williamson, Jordan Nobbs and Lisa Evans’ brace.
The afternoon was undoubtedly one of the best showcases of individual talent the WSL has seen.
It also solidified her status as the league’s player with the most hat-tricks to their name, raking in six during her time with Arsenal.
The WSL’s top goal scorer: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur 6-1
With the growing rivalries between clubs in the women’s game, North London derby days are always something to look forward to.
This match was not a day to remember for Spurs fans, but for Miedema’s career it marked yet another record-breaking game.
In the seventh minute, she made a break up the left side of the pitch and despite Ashley Neville’s best efforts, Miedema slipped it past goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer with a low finish.
Her second came off of Katie McCabe’s free kick and her third was a combined effort with Caitlin Foord up top, and Miedema tapping it in.
Her hat-trick smashed Nikita Parris’ title as the WSL’s record goal scorer with 49 goals scored in the league.
Not only was Miedema the first WSL player to reach 50 goals but she surpassed the benchmark, adding two more to her tally in a hat-trick against their rivals.
This meant that Miedema had hit 52 goals in 50 games, 60 fewer than it took Parris.
The fastest Arsenal player to reach 100 goals for the club: SK Slavia Praha v Arsenal 0-4
Arsenal’s spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions’ League group stage was solidified by Miedema’s hat-trick in their game against SK Slavia Praha and so was her spot in the Arsenal hall of fame.
After an excellent cross from Beth Mead that took the ball behind Slavia’s defence and to the feet of Miedema, the Dutch striker volleyed the ball home to make it 0-1.
She got her second shortly after, receiving the ball from Anna Patten and slipping it through the legs of the Slavia goalkeeper.
Her third and final goal of the game was her 100th for the North London club and achieving the feat in just 110 appearances made her the fastest Arsenal player to reach the milestone.
The first WSL player to score against every side: Manchester United v Arsenal 0-2
Just after half-time at Leigh Sports Village, Miedema made history once again, this time becoming the first player in the WSL to score against every side she’s faced.
Scoring for the thirteenth time that season in 16 appearances, she buried the ball into the bottom left corner, and despite diving, Mary Earps failed to make the save.
It was a play from her and Katie McCabe later in the match that led to drawing the penalty with which McCabe doubled their lead.
The first WSL player with 100 goal involvements: Arsenal v Birmingham City 4-2
It was another match day, and another weekend making WSL history for Miedema.
In the Gunners’ match against Birmingham City, Miedema’s goal marked a milestone, with 30 assists and tapping her 70th goal into the back of the net.
Scoring alongside Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord and Rafaelle Souza who scored her debut goal for the club in the same match, Miedema became the first WSL player to reach 100 goal involvements.
The Step by Step documentary
From succeeding on the pitch to making a difference off of it, Miedema has collaborated with various organisations like Common Goal, War Child and the Support is Everything campaign.
However, her efforts to raise awareness and advocate for research into anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries were particularly noteworthy during her time with the Arsenal.
Miedema collaborated with the media team to create a five-part documentary about not only her experience, but her partner Beth Mead’s experience, during their recoveries.
The documentary highlighted the significant discrepancies between the frequency of ACL injuries between men and women, detailing both the physical and mental challenges faced by those recovering from them.
Investigating why the injury is at the forefront of women’s football, they spoke to experts about what measures can be put in place to limit its impact in the women’s game.
Mead ruptured her ACL on 19 November 2022 and less than a month later Miedema joined her on the side lines with the same injury.
In the documentary, Miedema told Arsenal: “We are the generation right now that needs to up the standard for the next generation coming.
“It is our responsibility to look after one another and we have done that.
“We need to keep speaking out about it.”
First goal back from her ACL: Liverpool v Arsenal 0-2
Whether it’s her iconic forward roll in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 or just enjoying the moment with her team, Miedema’s celebrations are few and far between.
Notorious for her respect for the opposing team and choosing not to celebrate, the striker’s goal against Liverpool earlier this season stands out as an important moment in her Arsenal career.
In the 0-2 victory, she scored her debut goal since returning from the ACL injury sustained against Lyon.
Newcomer, Emily Fox, skillfully slipped past four Liverpool players to send the ball spinning to Miedema.
Miedema then dropped back to take a couple of touches before sending the ball rocketing into the back of the net in the 60thminute.
As her first goal back, she took the time to celebrate with her teammates before Caitlin Foord sealed off the Gunners’ win with their second goal of the match.
The final farewell: Arsenal v Brighton Hove and Albion 5-0
On 18 May 2024, Vivianne Miedema played her final game for Arsenal.
In their 5-0 thrashing of the Seagulls, she added insult to injury to Arsenal fans everywhere, by proving exactly just how valuable a player of her calibre can be.
The stands of Meadow Park were adorned in Dutch flags and signs with the striker’s name for her final game and the roar of applause when she stepped onto the pitch in the 62nd minute was deafening.
It took her two minutes to send a ball soaring into the back of the net on her first touch.
She was assisted by her teammate and partner Beth Mead in the perfect end to her time at Arsenal, but she wasn’t finished yet.
In the 88th minute, she chipped the ball over the Brighton back line, allowing Frida Maanum the space to make the run that secured the Gunners their fifth goal.
Manager, Jonas Eidevall said in the post-match press conference that it was: “So well deserved, she has trained so hard and been so focused all week.
“Most people can’t write their own farewell but maybe you can do that if you are her.”
She leaves Arsenal as the league’s top goal scorer and the player with the most WSL goals for one club.
While it is yet to be confirmed, Manchester City are rumoured to have expressed interest in the striker, and so its likely the WSL records could continue to stack up.
Featured image courtesy of Bella Pinn.