'Written in stars' for Miedema to score against Arsenal

Former England striker Ellen White feels it "is written in the stars" that Vivianne Miedema will score for Manchester City when they face her former side Arsenal in their opening Women’s Super League match of 2024-25.

Miedema, 28, scored 125 goals in 172 appearances in all competitions during a seven-season spell with the Gunners and her total of 80 WSL goals is a league record.

However, Arsenal made the decision not to renew Miedema's contract, with City signing her in the summer after she became a free agent.

But the Netherlands international will make an instant return to Emirates Stadium on Sunday as Arsenal entertain City in what promises to be a thrilling opening WSL weekend, with kick-off at 12:30 BST.

"It'll be different for her, it'd be a little bit strange, but she seems like she's happy and that's the main thing for Viv,” said White on BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly.

"It's a whole new city for her but the players they've got there will be amazing in helping her and you know how Man City work as a club so she'll be fine.

"I can just see her scoring. It's written in the stars."

Miedema joined Arsenal in 2017 from Bayern Munich and won the WSL title with the Gunners in 2019, as well as three League Cup titles in 2018, 2023 and 2024.

But she was limited to just eight WSL appearances over the past two seasons after she tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee in December 2022.

In July this year she signed a three-year deal with City.

Asked if she would celebrate scoring against Arsenal, she replied: "I never celebrate anyway so it's not much of a consideration for me.

"Going back will be very different and maybe at times difficult but at the same time I'm looking forward to it.

"I spent seven years at Arsenal and always had a really good connection with the fans and I appreciate how well they are doing for Arsenal as a club.

"It's a new era in the WSL for me at Manchester City so there are plenty of things to look forward to."

Miedema felt joining City was a straightforward decision and added: "For me football has always been really important but I have only made my football decisions based on two things – my happiness off the pitch and on it.

"When I spoke to [City manager] Gareth [Taylor] I knew the football was going to be fine. I'm still living in the UK, London is two hours away so it's the perfect step. I've really settled in on the pitch and starting to get to know the girls off the pitch.

"Putting one and one together made this a very easy decision in the end."

City came second in the WSL last season, missing out on the title on goal difference to Chelsea, with Arsenal finishing third, five points behind.

Taylor felt Miedema's signing and her versatility made his squad stronger.

"We're pleased,” Taylor told 5 Live. "Viv, we're working on her in a number of positions and we know what she can bring. She has been known as a number nine or someone who plays behind a striker.

"So when you have these options at the top end of pitch like Mary fowler, Aoba Fujino, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp, Bunny Shaw and players like Viv, Jessie Park, Laura Coombs, Jill Roord, Laura Blindkilde Brown, we've got talented players that can bring different options so we've strengthened a little bit in that area."

Former Scotland defender Jen Beattie, who won the WSL title with both Arsenal and Manchester City, expects Miedema to be a success at her new club.

"It was really interesting listening to Gareth and explaining her different roles that she can play on the pitch, number nine, in the 10, because she was starting to develop playing in a deeper role much more towards the end at Arsenal," said Beattie.

"Seven years is a long time to be at the same club, living in the same place, being around the same staff and people so it's OK to say it might take a bit of time, but she'll get there.

"We all know how great a club Man City is, it's got a great group of people and she is going to love it."