Appreciate the GOAT: Vivianne Miedema

The undisputed GOAT.

Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema has surpassed the record previously held by Nikita Parris to become the all-time top scorer in Women’s Super League history. She’s just 24 years old.

Not only that, but she did it against Tottenham in the North London Derby. It doesn’t get much better than that.

A demolition of Arsenal’s fiercest rivals started off in stunning fashion, as Katie McCabe’s free-kick – which had hints of Granit Xhaka’s against Crystal Palace, but better – set the tone for a memorable afternoon, but the talking point will always be regarding our No. 11.

She got record breaking goal just seven minutes in, started off with a delightful bit of skill before playing a neat one-two and carrying her run on into the box. The finish, as always, was an utter delight as she drilled the ball across goal and into the side netting: goal number 50.

Her second came less than half an hour later, as a well worked free-kick routine fed the Dutch international in the box and her thumping drive flew in at the near post. Wrapping up her hat-trick before half time, again some fabulous intricate play on the edge of the box culminated in a simple tap in.

There is nothing she can’t do.

Whether it’s left foot or right foot, thunderbolt or measured finish, her repertoire of goals is a catalogue you’d read over and over again. She can be a fox in the box with her immense footballing brain, or a deeper sitting playmaker who starts and finishes moves off.

Coming in off the left, cutting in from the right or driving through the middle, there is no end to her talents.

Her strikes were her 50th, 51st and 52nd in the WSL in just her 50th appearance. For context – not that any is needed – Parris reached her figure in 110 outings.

Quite simply, she is the best in the business. Nobody else in the women’s game comes close. Plenty in the Arsenal men’s team fall short of her excellence, too. Any chance Mikel Arteta could pull a few strings with Joe Montemurro and propose a swap deal?

Football is lucky to have Miedema. Arsenal are lucky to have Miedema.

A Goliath of the game who will only continue to get better. As we’ve seen throughout history, certain players must be treasured; we’ll likely never see another Miedema.