Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema has been granted a leave of absence by her club ahead of the upcoming international break.
The Dutch attacker is the all-time top scorer in the Women's Super League, having netted 120 goals since signing for the Gunners in 2017. She has also scored more international goals for the Netherlands than any other player, across both the women's and men's teams.
Miedema enjoyed another stellar WSL campaign last season, notching up 14 goals and eight assists, making her Arsenal's top goalscorer for the fourth consecutive year. The 26-year-old was rewarded with a one-year contract extension in the summer amid transfer speculation, and finished 11th in this year's Ballon D'or standings.
However, the forward has struggled to match her imperious form this term, scoring just twice and registering one assist in five league appearances. Miedema has also been left out of Andries Jonker's squad for the the Netherlands' upcoming games against Costa Rica and Denmark.
And now The Athletic is reporting Miedema has been given some time off by her club ahead of this Sunday's WSL clash against Leicester.
Arsenal told The Athletic : “Viv has been granted some time off to rest and recharge. We are supporting her closely and she will return following the international break.”
Arsenal currently sit second in the table on goal difference, having won all five of their opening league games. However, Miedema has been forced to settle for a place on the bench on a number of occasions this season, with Norwegian international Frida Maanum preferred by manager Jonas Eidevall in two of the last three games.
Asked about whether Miedema needed to work hard to regain her starting spot following Arsenal's victory against Liverpool last month, Eidevall told the Mirror: “I think everyone in our team has to work hard. It’s an obligation that comes with representing this club. In training, in the games, we’re a team and we go 100%. That doesn’t apply only to Viv, that applies to everyone.”
NEW! Our Year: European Champions 2022 - The Official England Winners Book
With a foreword by England manager Sarina Wiegman, this is the only official book of the historic triumph, reliving every kick of a thrilling tournament and telling the stories of the players who made it all happen.
Order from reachsportshop.com/https://reachsportshop.com/book/our-year-european-champion-2022/
