Women’s Super League record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema said she may be “even better than the old me” after netting her first goal since her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Miedema, who endured an 11-month absence and had not scored since December 2022, claimed Arsenal’s first as they beat Liverpool 2-0 on Sunday.
She said she had felt “scared” to come back after her recovery.
Miedema returned in October but only made her first start last weekend.
“It has been pretty tough,” the Netherlands forward told Sky Sports. “I have had a couple of setbacks in my recovery.
“You want to come back and help the team and get back as quickly as possible. During the winter break I had a shift in mindset and since then I have felt more like myself.”
Miedema, 27, spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines and missed last summer’s World Cup.
Sunday’s goal was her 79th in the league for Arsenal, the highest tally of any player in the division’s history.
The game was Miedema’s fifth in the league this season, but she managed just 34 minutes in three games before starting last weekend’s victory over Everton.
Having previously called her recovery an “emotional and physical rollercoaster”, she said “it means a lot” to score again for the Gunners after a 413-day wait.
“Coming back from injury, some players don’t overthink it, but I did,” added Miedema.
“I was scared to come back. I feel like the old me again, maybe even better than the old me. I don’t think about my knees any more which is good.”
Arsenal are three points behind league leaders Chelsea in the table, and the return of one of the game’s greatest strikers will be beneficial as they look to chase down their London rivals.
Manager Jonas Eidevall said: “Return to play comes in many different phases. One thing is when you’re physically ready to go on the pitch for the first time, that doesn’t mean you’re ready with your decision-making, with your technique, with your self-confidence. That takes a bit longer to build.”
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