Manchester Metropolis ahead Vivianne Miedema has mentioned she feels “free” and like her outdated self once more after going through former membership Arsenal for the primary time.
The Gunners hosted Metropolis in a 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium to kickstart their 2024-25 WSL campaigns. Arsenal opened the scoring by means of Frida Maanum earlier than Miedema netted in opposition to her outdated membership to stage the tie.
“Coming again for the primary time is a troublesome factor to do,” the Netherlands worldwide mentioned postmatch. “It is the primary time you are coming again residence to the place the place you’ve got been for seven years, so it isn’t straightforward, it isn’t like every other regular sport, however I believe Gareth [Taylor] has been actually good with me in checking in with what I wished to do that week, and the women have helped me by means of in the present day, and I am simply actually completely satisfied the sport is finished and dusted now and we are able to transfer on.”
Miedema spent seven years with Arsenal, successful the 2019 WSL title earlier than shifting to league rivals Metropolis on a free switch on the finish of final season, signing a three-year deal.
The 28-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) harm in December 2022, leaving her on the sidelines for big components of the previous two campaigns. Nonetheless, the striker admitted she is starting to really feel like her outdated self once more after additionally scoring throughout Metropolis’s 4-0 win over Paris FC of their UEFA Ladies’s Champions League qualifier on Wednesday.
“You can see on the pitch at instances that I am again to being outdated me, and I can unfold some passes and rating some targets, and I believe that is the one factor I must give attention to proper now and carry on going,” she added. “I am completely satisfied I stayed in England, I am completely satisfied I stayed within the league. I be at liberty, I really feel like I might be myself, and that is actually what I wanted.”
Jess Park gave Metropolis the lead within the second half earlier than Miedema was subbed off within the 78th minute. Beth Mead struck within the 81st minute to depart the edges locked stage.
Regardless of anticipating a frosty reception from the 41,818 followers, Miedema was welcome again with a loud applause as her title was learn out in Metropolis’s XI earlier than the sport. She didn’t rejoice her purpose, nevertheless this isn’t unusual for the prolific purpose scorer.
“I am actually proud of the reception I acquired from the followers and from all the opposite ladies. It was fairly particular,” Miedema mentioned.
“I wished to be respectful for the followers who’ve stood by for the final seven years and are nonetheless standing by me, so I believe I did the correct factor in that sense.
“Coming again right here in the present day, primarily the main focus was on surviving and getting by means of that sport, after which every thing else that got here with that was only a bonus.”
