Vivianne Miedema will miss Arsenal's clash with Leicester City after being granted a leave of absence by her club ahead of the upcoming international break.
The Dutch forward is the all-time top scorer in the Women's Super League, having scored 20 goals since making the switch to North London 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 penned a one-year contract extension in the summer following another stellar WSL campaign that saw her register 14 goals and eight assists. Despite finishing 11th in this year's Ballon D'or standings, the 26-year old has struggled for form this term, netting just twice and bagging one assist in five league appearances.
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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. The Arsenal star 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. Asked about whether Miedema needed to work hard to regain her starting spot following Arsenal's victory against Liverpool last month, Eidevall said: “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.”
Arsenal will take on Leicester at the King Power on Sunday in a bid to keep pace with league leaders Manchester United at the top of the table.
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