What we learned from Miedema in midfield
Manchester City have a new position for the star forward but its going to take time for everything to click.
A new WSL season brings new expectations, narratives, and faces, but for Arsenal and Manchester City, nothing really changes.
Gareth Taylor and Jonas Eidevall remain in situ. Both carry the burden of expectation and opportunity of clinching their first WSL title in an Emma Hayes-less era and do so with growing doubt from their respective fanbases.
It was written in the stars that the two managers would meet on the opening day of the new season and a familiar face would likely play a starring role in the occasion.
At the end of last season, after seven years, 125 goals, and countless memories, Vivianne Miedema swapped North London for Manchester. Miedema’s arrival created an envious headache for Taylor.
At City, Khadija Shaw, one of the best players in the country and last season’s Golden Boot winner, takes up the No.9 role. A front-two featuring the Dutchwoman and Shaw hasn't been ruled out, but it seems unlikely given the current squad planning. So too out wide.
On Sunday, the solution was in midfield. Jill Roord’s long-term absence due to an anterior cruciate ligament suffered at the start of the year made it possible, but it came with practical implications, especially away from home at a title rival.
Against Arsenal, Miedema was deployed in a deeper role, playing as a No. 8 alongside Jess Park, and at times pushing into a No.10 position when City had the ball, as she had done in the latter stages of her Arsenal career.
It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was an experiment that definitely brought its rewards, and it could prove to be the ideal position for the 28-year-old.
Within the first seven minutes, Miedema had an effort that was crafted from pickpocketing Kim Little near the halfway line. Her ambitious attempt ended up just wide of Manu Zinsberger’s post from about 35 yards out. It was an early indication of her intent and confidence in a new role.
But seconds after that chance, City would be punished for a half-hearted press and bad positioning, and Miedema would be left exposed.
Some swift build-up from Eidevall’s side baited a press from Lauren Hemp but none of her teammates followed her. That allowed Kim Little to usher the ball out to the flank, where an unoccupied Emily Fox could drive deep into City’s half. A simple square ball would eventually find the incoming run of Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum smashed it home.
As seen in City’s attempted press, Hemp leaves a huge gap behind her and Miedema ends up stranded, chasing to make up the lost ground. Wide transitions, particularly on that left side, were a source of much creation for Arsenal all game.
It was a key example of an adjusted style and system that Miedema and her teammates will take time to get used to.
As most sides in the division line up with a double pivot consisting of two natural sitting midfielders, Taylor’s City utilise just the one in Yui Hasegawa. Such a setup, allows for two advanced midfielders to flank Hasegawa and despite being stretched on multiple occasions in the first half, Jess Park and Miedema's influence on the ball grew.
Miedema’s equaliser just before the break illustrated just how versatile she can be in that role, even if she did get a helping hand from a deflection. She received a pass between two Arsenal markers, worked through ricochets before taking a shot. It was all made possible by her being in that position in the first place.
Jess Park crafted out a spectacular goal to give City a 2-1 lead in the 54th minute but Taylor’s side failed to build on their lead and gain control of the game. A key moment came when Miedema was subbed off for Mary Fowler seven minutes before Arsenal’s eventual equaliser. Taylor could have looked to a safe pair of hands in Laura Coombs but opted for a more attacking change in Fowler and Kelly.
Getting the best out of Miedema in this new role will take a time but the early signs are that she could bring even more to this team than just goals. It’s up to Taylor now to find that perfect balance.
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