New Man City signing has already impressed after 'gut feeling' and Arsenal plea

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Vivianne Miedema couldn't stop smiling. As the legendary Arsenal forward stepped out at the Etihad for the first time in Manchester City colours, her excitement at this bold new chapter was palpable. "I've had a difficult season and a half but, coming back into the national team camp over the summer, I really felt like me again," Miedema said at her official unveiling on Sunday afternoon. "I found a new appreciation for football and I'm really excited to start here.

I hope my experience and qualities can help the team develop and help the girls around me." The prospect of the Women's Super League's (WSL) all-time top goalscorer leaving the Gunners to join a direct rival would have seemed inconceivable just two short years ago.

After all, this is a player who posted a remarkable tally of 126 goals in 172 appearances for Arsenal, having repeatedly torn up the record books during her glittering seven-year stint at Meadow Park. READ MORE: I saw how £21m Savinho delighted Man City fans on his first appearance READ MORE: Savinho aims for speedy Man City debut and dream Wembley appearance But, after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in December 2022, Miedema's influence in North London began to wane.

The Netherlands international played just 287 minutes in the league last term and, with manager Jonas Eidevall favouring a more physical brand of centre-forward to implement his counterpressing style, Miedema's decision to seek pastures new when her contract expired in June felt like the best move for all parties.