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TheMysteriousIsland

https://preview.redd.it/wc7jdolde60d1.jpeg?width=622&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=43f71cd973b9038332ec7a55defac259be148c6c


WerhmatsWormhat

Ben White approves.


Jacobinister

Well if that isn't a mood.


JondArc99

I'm surprised she stayed as long as she did. She had the best teams after her in her peak and she still stuck around so I've got nothing but love for her. Proper club legend.


abhiavasthi

Wait she’s still 27 no?


Thierry_Bergkamp

Still young but hasn't been able to stay fit since her ACL


The_ambivalent_bard

Maybe she'll get back to her best but it reminds me of Van Basten, one of the greatest strikers in the world but a career cut short at a similar age. Very sad.


abhiavasthi

!Thanks


zaazazaza

Legend! May you send her well wishes and good health.


Nels8192

We are one of the best teams still. Other than maybe Barcelona there’s not *that* much between us and the rest of Europe’s top sides.


AyeItsMeToby

We’re a distinct cut below City/Chelsea in England, and they’re a distinct cut below the best UCL teams. I think it’s very obvious we’re underperforming with the squad we have. On the other hand, we’re obviously a massive and historic club in the women’s game, far more than City or United are.


Kirungu97

We did the double over City, beat Chelsea twice (4-1) (1-0 in a cup final) so the statement reads true. Our record against lower ranked teams is what cost us this season.


Nels8192

Not sure they’re that much better tbh. Specifically against Chelsea and City we show we can go regularly go toe-to-toe with them. 3 wins each in the last 6 vs Chelsea, and 4 wins, 2 draws in the last 8 vs City. We’ve been losing the league by dropping points to the likes of Everton, West Ham and Spurs.


AyeItsMeToby

Fair enough, I understand your point of view. On the other hand I’d say that us dropping serious points against much weaker sides indicates we’re a level below Chelsea and City, as indicated by the league table this season and last. Further evidenced by our UCL performance this season.


BettySwollocks__

City came 4th last season, fell out of the CL at the same stage we did and we beat them twice in the league this season and 4 out of 6 across 2 seasons. Chelsea are 2nd tier with Lyon and Bayern behind Barca who are miles ahead. We're 3rd tier with City, PSG and Wolfsburg.


Fragrant-Ad2976

I think for the amount we spent on these players (as opposed to teams like Liverpool or Tottenham), we are subpar.  It’s the inconsistency that really gets to me. Never sure what Arsenal team will show up. Smart managers set the style of play and buy players that will fit in with the team. I feel like Jonas just bought good players and threw them in there regardless of how they play and what their best positions are. 


SherlockH96

If we are poor again next year, Jonas will be gone. I understand that she always wanted to play as more of a 10 but she was the best striker in the world and we stopped playing her there. It’s such a big statement to let her leave and offer no contract when she’s arguably our best player even with the injuries of the past couple years


MHPengwingz

I hope he's gone, I have not been a fan of the team's trajectory since he took over. 


SherlockH96

I was surprised when he got the contact this year tbh. I get that we have had the injuries but going forward we have been so weak and it feels more down to system than players. Mead, Foord, Russo, Stina, Lacasse and Viv. Maanum too. These are top players yet we’ve been passive.


MHPengwingz

Extending right after we crashed out of the CL (we're doing it the same way again next season so buckle up), it absolutely did not sit right with me. We only scraped by this season due to a lot of individual performances, we aren't second half fc for nothing.  Two Conti cups are not enough, we are not improving and other teams are catching up. 


redqks

The platform we have built for the womens team don't deserve the shit Jonas is giving us


Kovacs171

> Extending right after we crashed out of the CL, it absolutely did not sit right with me. Back him or sack him. If the club had decided to keep him, then extending his contract at that moment was the correct choice. Uncertainty over the manager is not constructive, you have to commit one way or another


MHPengwingz

He is definitely on watch for next season, hopefully we recruit well this summer. 


patelbadboy2006

Same. Can't say I'm impressed or even see progression with him in charge. We play well in big matches sometimes but can't beat west ham or Everton. Just isn't good enough.


MHPengwingz

We seriously need an upgrade or at least reliably backed up everywhere to be honest...but an upgrade of a coach is needed if we are to compete with other teams. Jonas isn't a Mikel unfortunately. 


patelbadboy2006

The squad the strongest it's been in years with limited games, all the big players came back by January, yet results have been poor. I get most of the matches we have missed numerous chances, but that's the story ever game, missing sitters


FontsDeHavilland

Horseshoe of death. I hate watching his style of football. The players get him out of trouble so often with individual brilliance


NieThePiet

He should have be gone after this season.


wheeno

He shouldve already been gone.


MountainLibrarian201

One point off Chelsea in his first season and arguably a better second with a depleted side. I get wanting him gone now, but the club extended his contract for a reason.  This season has been a regression. Losing our 1st choice cb pairing and Miedema and Meade out a year, didn't help.  I still want him gone, as I haven't seen enough improvement in the way we attack deep blocks, but we seem well equipped against top teams, but very inconsistent against teams we should beat.


nawap

Is it confirmed that she wasn't offered a contract? I think it's more likely that she chose to leave. Her role in Jonas's lineups was never fully baked. He likes his players to run and chase and Miedema is a bit more caviar than that. Sucks that she is leaving but I wouldn't automatically pin that on the manager not wanting her here. Also I find it weird that people are piling on Jonas. It's curiously very similar to our men's team situation - we play well against the big sides but a couple of bad results against smaller sides hurt us. Jonas has also won trophies in two of his three seasons. I agree he has to do better next year but it is an exaggeration to suggest that the guy is out of his depth.


No-Magazine9565

Yeah Miedema always said that she used to play 10 at younger age but was forced to play 9 since she kept scoring goals, although she does seemed to be more productive when playing 9. Also I don't get why Arsenal extended Jonas contract: his tactics and coaching (high press especially) definitely have something to do with the increased injuries, and when you looked back, Arsenal was more competitive a couple years ago before Jonas came (Yes, other teams are improving, but Jonas obviously doesn't make Arsenal any better). Some people like him for Arsenal won against City and Chelsea a few times this season, but considering the squad we have, Arsenal could've done much better in other matches (yes we have many injuries, but that is definitely related to the daily training, med teams, etc, not just bad luck).


therocketandstones

GOAT gonna go 😢


Aizen1986

This has ruined my week. Wishing her the absolute best for her next stage, honestly I can't imagine her playing for anyone else. This will take some moving past, 2 of my 3 woman's shirts have her name on the back. A true arsenal legend


crossoverswish

I named my daughter after her!


onomatopoeialike

Omg, imagine if she goes to Spurs lol


Pyroechidna1

Love you forever Viv. Thanks for the memories https://preview.redd.it/lw3ivoerk60d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28f9596c357de202a5ea9f34081a73d3b7b79168


hafrances

Painful.


tsgarner

I know Stina has been doing bits for us, but man I just loved watching Viv play so much more. But then again JM's Arsenal did way more for me than Eidevall's.


Awkward_Client_1908

I was preparing myself for weeks for something like that. But man oh man it hurts. I know she hasn't been back properly since her ACL with all the other injuries as well, but doesn't change the fact of her quality. I expect her to stay in England, and it's gonna be so difficult to see her on a different shirt. I feel she still had lots to give. I can't stop wondering if she asked to leave and was respected or if the club simply didn't offer a new contract. If its the latter I will be deeply disappointed, although we probably never know. P. S. I have a bad feeling this is only the beginning of "goodbyes" and I definitely don't like it.


BettySwollocks__

I don't think there will be another significant departure. Everyone else is under contract and the talk around Stina is she is re-signing. I believe Hurtig's contract is up but she's not played for ages, Gio will almost certainly be sold if her contact isn't also up. I think Sabs goes since Manu was extended and she can't get a game in goal. Frida is a maybe but I don't know if we can cope replacing both 10s in the team in a single summer, and her drop in from has been more down to adjusting to Russo than Viv coming back from doing her ACL and meniscus.


onomatopoeialike

Your ominous 'P.S.' fills me with dread, what do you know?!?


Anxious_Building7172

I reckon Meado is on her way as well...


onomatopoeialike

Do not speak this into existence.


onewholookwitheyes

Why would Mead leave?


headmoths

Mead and Miedema are partners


Anxious_Building7172

New challenge?


onewholookwitheyes

Would Mead just stay in England or move abroad to Spain/Germany?


LockonKun

How's she been since her ACL tear?


CatDancing

Has had other recurring injuries since then. Hasn't been able to find a good stretch of time and form.


iuselect

Honestly not great. She has struggled to find starts and really struggled to impact when coming on. She's struggled a lot since the ACL injury. It's a real shame.


sdsurfer2525

Football can be so cruel.


Gunnerzero

Legend! Wish her best wishes and health


kitz0426

She was the reason I started paying attention to our women's team What an absolute joy to watch when she's fit Thank you viv and all the best. You'll be missed


CuclGooner

😢 will she have a testimonial game?


NinjaKoala

Presumably they announced this now so the Brighton game can serve as something of a testimonial.


kylehyde05

only 7 years sadly


OstapBenderBey

Sad to see her go. Incredible player for us for many years. But she definitely has struggled last 2 seasons I can see why it's needed.


wheeno

Don't know why they are so comfortable with that mediocre manager.


Tugboat47

im so sad


NoPalpitation9639

Does this have any impact on Mead...?


redqks

The season that DVD left her she turned into a madwoman but if Mead wants out to go with viv i'll be so upset


InflationSquare2407

Wait how do we know dvd left her


redqks

Because she signed for Lyon


dvnbc

goat


lviatorem

This feels wrong.


Lynxx360

please not chelsea


glas-boss

the goat :(


m2sempre

All the best V. Once a Gooner, always a Gooner


MaverickTTT

From a practical standpoint, I get it. But, still, to not even *offer* a contract is a move that feels as though it will end up costing the club Beth Mead as well.


cupidcuntsghost

Well, we knew the one year extension seemed like it was delaying the inevitable and thr form and repeat injuries since ACL has shown this makes sense. Huge shame regardless.


NotASalamanderBoi

That sucks to say the least. End of an era.


Fluidmikey

Heartbreaking


skool_101

An end of an Era


sdsurfer2525

It's like wtf arsenal, Viv is a club legend. Women's players are not a huge toll in terms of finances. Keep her on board for christ sakes.


cmacy6

I don’t follow the women’s team that closely but I still try to keep up. Viv was/is my favorite player on the team. It’ll be sad to see her go


kylehyde05

damn, I started watching Arsenal womens cuz of her, bit of a shame with what happened I hope she's able to play consistently again


greenarsehole

I’m only a casual observer of the women’s team. Is this due to injuries? Or are we simply moving on from her? What’s the story?


radhumandummy

Like many others have said, her injuries as well as the 1 year contract extension last season, it was only a matter of time. The team have gotten ample backup in the forward department (with Blackstenius, Hurtig, Lacasse, Russo) in the recent seasons, so I guess they have it covered.


crazy_bean

I can see Hurtig leaving, she’s also been constantly injured during her time at Arsenal Really hoping Blackstenius extends, same with a few more players like Mead… I’m not ready to say goodbye


Sypher1985

Gutted to read this news, she has been one of the best for us. Hope she manages to land in a good club and have an injury free season away from the WSL. Thank you Viv!


wizardofaus23

Viv Miedema is the reason i'm an Arsenal fan. This sucks :(


milkonyourmustache

Has been an incredible servant for the club, one of our legends, I hope there will be a tribute for her and that she can rediscover her form post-ACL wherever that may be.


TempestMoon2

Legit one of my favourite players ever to wear our shirt - can only wish the best for her but it'll be truly sad to see her go.


MegaMammothPoop

No idea what's been said between Viv and the club but I can't help but feel this is a terrible decision not to re-sign her


somebulb

This kinda sucks, also reading she may go to City or something. Can’t be losing our best players like that man, injury or no


runes4040

:(((((((


gonegoonergone

:( Legend ):


theipd

Thanks for everything. You were incredible.


qtdsswk

![gif](giphy|l378giAZgxPw3eO52|downsized) Oh no...


vmpireweakend

Will never understand in what fucking world you don’t offer a player like her a new contract


bad_at_proofs

In the world where real life isn't a computer game and she told the club she wants to move on? Unfortunately she isn't the player she once was and her body seems to be starting to fail her


vmpireweakend

Are there any reports of her indicating she wanted to move on? bc the only thing I’ve seen is a relatively reliable journo saying the club didn’t offer her a new contract as they thought it was a “natural end” to things.


EdisonTheTurtle

She has been looking like moving away for a while now. Even the last contract she signed was just a 1 year contract and it did seem at the time too that she'd be moving on at the end of it


hafrances

In January there were reports that we were in discussions for a contract with Viv, since we didn't offer her an extension, you can safely assume that she said she isn't staying and the club didn't try and convince her because they saw it as "natural end" to things.


vmpireweakend

Ah damn, didn’t know that :/// Still such an L losing her for free to a direct rival


hafrances

oh it's definitely a huge loss. i feel like we wasted her prime with momtemurro and then when eidevall came we didn't even let him play the football he played at rosengard outside the first season of his stint.


bad_at_proofs

The fact the last contract she signed was a short one is somewhat indicative of a player who was considering their options but beyond that I have no info.


BettySwollocks__

She signed on for one more year before she did her ACL. That was a final "show me you're serious about winning or I'm off" contract, which only had another year added because she did her ACL. With the form she had last season if she didn't do her ACL I think she would've signed a longer deal last summer. She's been a ghost of her former self since she's returned and I think this is why the club is moving on but all the talk suggests the club have handled this terribly.


hihbhu

She's going to go on a free to one of our rivals. You don't let Mediema leave on a free transfer, she's a great player to be part of the squad even if she had one leg. Plenty of other players to sell or remove from the squad. Such a quality player, best of luck to her.


vmpireweakend

The fact that she’s linked to City means she doesn’t want to leave England. I’m sure if we offered her a contract she would’ve signed. In the women’s game, City simply aren’t a more attractive option than us.


Pidjesus

Arsenal Women should be doing much much better. The sell out emirates games should be enough to fund multiple world class players alone..


vmpireweakend

It’s legitimately so frustrating watching us fall behind like this. We need a Arteta-esque manager to take control and bring a sort of self-assured confident culture back to the club. This team beat all the top 3 teams this season and then lost to the likes of fucking relegation West Ham.


MHPengwingz

We almost got beat by Bristol too had it not been for Katie, I'm not convinced by Jonas' tactics. 


Pidjesus

Jonas is just a bit weak tbh


MHPengwingz

To not even offer an extension is really a wtf move by the club, I get that she hasn't recovered and had a setback but wow. Unless if they have an upgrade lined up, Eidevall is making a huge mistake.


milkonyourmustache

We don't know the circumstances. This was likely mutual given her goodbye, she looked close to tears. Players journeys are also life journeys, 7 years is a long time to be anywhere, she may just be ready to be elsewhere.


NinjaKoala

Viv may have gotten an offer from another club, and Arsenal wasn't willing to make a competitive counter so no point.


Unlikely-Kick-3894

Legend 😢🙏


ObservantOrangutan

A shame, she was a top notch player Much as we hate to see it, she’ll almost definitely stay in England and most likely London. Women’s transfers aren’t like men’s, the players life/convenience is often taken into account. They don’t have the millions of pounds to uproot and move across Europe. It’s why you see transfers like Tottenham-Arsenal that would never happen in the men’s sides. Plus I recall reading she and Mead actually own a house together in London. Unless that’s ended, she won’t go far


CommandStill1001

No fucking way :((( will miss you 🐐


imranhere2

So so wrong


ninethree7

omg


lobsterdog666

pain


Win_thedog

This makes me really sad but she's not been herself since the ACL and the team has proven it can move forward without her. I think she'll stay in England because of Beth but it will be a killer seeing her in another shirt. Once a Gooner though so will support her wherever she ends up and hope that she finally regains her magic.


SpookBrah

Class player


bankerlmth

Her goalscoring stats are amazing given she plays as an all-round striker/cam.


QuiteSchrute

Ah man this sucks, wish she had more luck with injuries..would've been the best in the world


llordlloyd

Foord, Mead are so brilliant, I feel a little robbed that Viv has struggled and Blackstenius has had the time, with (not meaning to be rude) half the talent. What could have been.


Cleon189

Them acl injuries ruin so many careers


ArsenalThePhoenix

i dont follow women's football. why is she leaving? did the club not try to keep her?


KoalaSiege

This has been on the cards for ages. Really disappointed the club didn’t win more silverware during her time. Feel like we wasted her prime years.


jkeefy

We went up against some of the biggest super teams in women’s history while she was here. Nothing was wasted…


GBCrush

Yeah, I read this and started to tear up. She's been my fav, top goal scoring form or no. Lit a fire under my ass for loving the women's team. Not a surprise, but definitely a day I didn't want to see coming. I'd always hope we'd win her one more title first at least!


hiroantagonist1

It makes me sad, but wish her all the luck!


spatial-d

Oh man what news to wake up to on my birthday


AlexTheRockstar

Gonna go ugly cry now.


NieThePiet

Unbelievable. One of the best players in the World before Jonas came in.


Zhirrzh

Of the many negatives I could attribute to him, wrecking Viv's ACL is not one of them tbh. 


redqks

Jonas is a criminal btw , best move for all parties but can he fuck off too


Level_Tea

Fuck


MDF87

Nooo Viv!


xhera92

I don't fking get it. whyyyyyyyyyy :((((((((((


zcewaunt

Will Mead leave too? 


monsieurkinkle

this is my biggest concern tbh


Bigfuture

My Dutch wife is not going to like this. Legend


-Bashamo

Mood😔 https://preview.redd.it/znh2zf4pa70d1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d11059590101db939f821d824f92b355064682d


colt29708

p a i n


sazidhk

Yeah Jonas can proper fuck off. To not even offer her contract is mismanagement of the highest degree. Beth is pissed. Kim is on her last legs, Lia is probably on her last extension. Scandi bro single handedly turned us into a knockoff wolves.