Barcelona-linked Miedema signs new Arsenal contract

Arsenal’s all-time record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema has ended speculation over her future by signing a new deal with the Women’s Super League club.

Miedema’s previous deal was due to expire next month, and she had been linked with a move to Barcelona or a team in the United States.

However, the Netherlands international – who has scored 117 goals in 144 games since signing for Arsenal from Bayern Munich in 2017 – has agreed to stay on in north London.

The Gunners confirmed the news on their official website on Friday, although no details were given regarding the length of the contract.

“I think the best thing about football is to build something with a team and people around you that you really want to belong to,” Miedema said.

“I feel like I have that at Arsenal. I feel that winning titles with Arsenal will mean a lot more to me than winning them with any other club right now.

“And that, of course, is what I hope to achieve with Arsenal.”

Expect the unexpected
Why leave when you rather stay?#MoreThanReady pic.twitter.com/y0LiY62FQ4

— Vivianne Miedema (@VivianneMiedema) May 20, 2022

Miedema is the WSL’s record scorer with 74 goals to her name in the competition, and she won the Golden Boot in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 campaigns.

The 25-year-old scored 23 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions this season, with Arsenal finishing runners-up to Chelsea in the league.

Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, who signed a new two-year deal two weeks ago, said: “Viv is a stellar talent and a hugely important player for this team.

“It’s fantastic news that she is staying with us. As a club, our ambition is to win titles and compete at the highest level.

“We know Viv’s own ambitions are the same, and together we will give everything to achieve that.”