Arsenal’s star striker Vivianne Miedema ends the 2019/20 Women’s Super League top goalscorer for the second season in a row. The Dutch dynamo becomes first player in WSL history to retain the award.
Miedema finished the shortened season with an impressive 16 goals, two ahead of Chelsea forward Beth England.
The Netherlands international also hit the net another three times in the Continental Cup and an astonishing 10 times in the Women’s Champions League.
But what makes the striker so prolific?
Big Performances
One thing that sets Vivianne Miedema apart from other attackers in England is her ability to completely dominate games.
She makes the main goal scoring threat, feeding off chances created for her and creating more opportunities for players around her.
This has been shown throughout the 2019/20 season with the forward bagging three hattricks and five braces in all competitions.
This impressive ability to win games almost entirely by herself is what sets her apart from other strikers.
It has drawn comparison to Dutch compatriot and former Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie who almost single-handedly dragged his team to wins.
The Complete Forward
You would be forgiven for thinking that if a forward scores an astonishing 29 goals then they must be selfish. Not Miedema.
The marksman has provided eight assists in the WSL alone this season, with four of these coming in the 11-1 demolition of Bristol City.
To put this into even greater context, Miedema was involved with 10 out of the 11 goals.
She is more than just a goal scorer. She is the complete forward.
The Arsenal star was quoted in 2019 saying, “I think i’m not bothered about scoring goals at all.”
It is this attitude that serves her and her teammates so well. The striker went on to say she prioritises results and winning trophies over personal recognition and accolades.
But her most commendable attribute is her humility. She also rarely celebrates her goals because she doesn’t want to be disrespectful to the opposition.
Natural Ability
The final element of her game that makes Miedema so special is her natural talent and high football IQ.
She has the perfect combination of height and build to hold off opponents.
It is also impossible to tell which is her weaker foot, as the ambidextrous forward has dedicated a lot of time to practicing with both feet.
But when you add her precision and technical ability then she becomes unplayable.
Miedema started her career as a No. 10, playing just behind the striker. It this ability to link the midfield and frontline that makes her such a valuable asset.
With or without the ball, she forces defenders to pay more attention to her, opening up opportunities for her teammates.
Is Vivianne Miedema the Best Player in the World?
Vivianne Miedema missed out on the Ballon d’Or to Megan Rapinoe in 2019.
Despite amassing almost 50 goals in 2019 and winning the Women’s Super League with Arsenal, she was overlooked.
Surprisingly, Rapinoe only scored six times that same year but still won the prestigious award.
If the Ballon d’Or is given to the best player in the world, then it should have been given to Vivanne Miedema.
The forward also beat Dutch legend Manon Melis’ record of 59 goals for Holland in 136 appearances. Miedema achieved it in 62 less caps.
She continues to add to her trophy cabinet which already contains the Euros, WSL and Bundesliga.
She is also on pace to become one of the best forwards of all time, especially since she is only just about to turn 24.
Vivianne Miedema is the “unofficial best player in the world,” but it will be hard for people to keep ignoring her greatness.
