I rejected easy option to quit Arsenal for Man City - I know what to expect

After a difficult spell, Vivianne Miedema felt the writing was on the wall for her at Arsenal.

She had been an outstanding player in the Women's Super League but had struggled to overcome an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in December 2022, and as time went on she didn't feel like Arsenal would offer her a new deal when hers ran out in the summer of 2024. After seven years in North London, she would have to find a new home.

Even as he star at Arsenal began to fade, Miedema's reputation in the game remained so high that there were a queue of clubs to sign her willing to offer her the chance of winning the biggest prizes. "Having spent seven years at Arsenal, the easy voice in my head said just go abroad," she said. "Go play for a team that can win the Champions League and go from there."

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Instead, Miedema was speaking at her unveiling as a Manchester City player. The Dutch forward has become the latest player to swap the Emirates for the Etihad and while her move may not prove as controversial as Emmanuel Adebayor made his it doesn't do anything to cool the blood between the two clubs.

As the men's teams build their rivalry as the two best in England, City and Arsenal are both behind serial winners Chelsea in the women's games but the fight to get to top spot has been ferocious and occasionally ugly. City manager Gareth Taylor last year branded his Arsenal counterpart Jonas Eidevall a 'bully' after a 2-1 defeat in November, then the Blues self-destructed in the final minutes at home to lose not only the match but ultimately the title.

Miedema swapping Arsenal for City is not likely to have improved relations as they both chase the same goals. Any hopes of a quiet start for the forward were thwarted by the fixture calendar that mean her first game for her new team will come at her old home of the Emirates on Sunday - hours before the men's teams face off at the Etihad.

"I already made a bet with Beth [Mead, her partner and Arsenal striker] that it was going to happen," she said. "It's going to be a special game for me - I'm going to be playing in the Emirates before the Joie Stadium. I'm happy to get it out of the way and I'm hoping we can start the season really well.

"I knew obviously there were going to be very mixed reactions from joining City but I think I'm a very loyal person and player in my career, I make decisions on the whole picture, things on and off the pitch. This time round, City covered both of them. I don't ask people to understand it or support it but I do ask people to respect it. I'm really excited to be here and wear a City shirt, this season and get back to my own level."

There will be no time to ease in in a league where a few defeats can rule you out of the title race and at a club that are putting themselves under pressure to win their first title since 2016. A hangover from last season's agonising loss cannot be contemplated because it could cost them another successful year.

Miedema will be expected to help lift the team, yet she has struggled with pressure throughout her career and has not enjoyed the long return from a serious injury. They may not be surprising traits for top footballers, but they are certainly surprising to hear top footballers admit.

"I definitely do not like the spotlight," she said. "But I also know that with me being me that comes with it. With wanting to grow the women's game, that comes more and more.

"I'm used to it by now but pressure is something I've always struggled with in my career. Coming back from injury, a lot of people expect magic and expect you to put your boots on and score a hat-trick.

"It's really difficult especially if you've been out for so long, hence why I really try not to put too much pressure on myself. Hopefully again in the future I can deal with that pressure a bit more but I can also use it as motivation and hopefully turn it into that and play my best football yet."

As City try to get back to where they want to be, Miedema is open about her vulnerabilities as she chases the same goal. That in itself can be a strength, and she made light of Bunny Shaw's absence in midweek to score the opening goal in Paris on her City debut to turn a Champions League play-off that looked tricky on paper into a 5-0 rout.

Another goal and win on Sunday at her old home will be further proof that the easy option isn't the most satisfying.

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