Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema has said she feels "free" and like her old self again after facing former club Arsenal for the first time.
The Gunners hosted City in a 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium to kickstart their 2024-25 WSL campaigns. Arsenal opened the scoring through Frida Maanum before Miedema netted against her old club to level the tie.
"Coming back for the first time is a difficult thing to do," the Netherlands international said postmatch. "It's the first time you're coming back home to the place where you've been for seven years, so it's not easy, it's not like any other normal game, but I think Gareth [Taylor] has been really good with me in checking in with what I wanted to do this week, and the girls have helped me through today, and I'm just really happy the game is done and dusted now and we can move on."
Miedema spent seven years with Arsenal, winning the 2019 WSL title before moving to league rivals City on a free transfer at the end of last season, signing a three-year deal.
The 28-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in December 2022, leaving her on the sidelines for large parts of the past two campaigns. However, the striker admitted she is beginning to feel like her old self again after also scoring during City's 4-0 win over Paris FC in their UEFA Women's Champions League qualifier on Wednesday.
"You could see on the pitch at times that I'm back to being old me, and I can spread some passes and score some goals, and I think that's the only thing I need to focus on right now and keep on going," she added. "I'm happy I stayed in England, I'm happy I stayed in the league. I feel free, I feel like I can be myself, and that's really what I needed."
Jess Park gave City the lead in the second half before Miedema was subbed off in the 78th minute. Beth Mead struck in the 81st minute to leave the sides locked level.
Despite anticipating a frosty reception from the 41,818 fans, Miedema was welcome back with a loud applause as her name was read out in City's XI before the game. She did not celebrate her goal, however this is not uncommon for the prolific goal scorer.
"I'm really happy with the reception I got from the fans and from all the other girls. It was pretty special," Miedema said.
"I wanted to be respectful for the fans who have stood by for the last seven years and are still standing by me, so I think I did the right thing in that sense.
"Coming back here today, mainly the focus was on surviving and getting through that game, and then everything else that came with that was just a bonus."