Arsenal fans are closely monitoring Vivianne Miedema‘s recovery from a cruciate ligament injury and the Dutch superstar and Gunners’ all-time top scorer, recently offered an update on her progress, revealing both optimism and the lingering challenges of her rehabilitation.

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal prepares to enter the pitch as a substitute during the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Bristol City and Arsenal FC at Ashton Gate Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal prepares to enter the pitch as a substitute during the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Bristol City and Arsenal FC at Ashton Gate Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

“After the winter break I played a lot,” Vivianne Miedema told AD.nl via a phonecall from Marbella. “I’m feeling better and better, a bit like my old ‘Viv’ again at times and that’s great. But cruciate ligament rehabilitation and returning to playing many minutes: that always goes up and down a bit and I knew that.

“We will see day by day how I feel and what I can do. Of course, it could also be that we play 120 minutes twice on Friday and Wednesday, so we have to be smart about what I’m going to do. We have good contact about that. I think we’re going to decide quite last minute.

DAGENHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal battles for possession with Honoka Hayashi of West Ham United during the Barclays Women's Super League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at Chigwell Construction Stadium on February 04, 2024 in Dagenham, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
DAGENHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 04: Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal battles for possession with Honoka Hayashi of West Ham United during the Barclays Women’s Super League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at Chigwell Construction Stadium on February 04, 2024 in Dagenham, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

“After the winter break I played a lot and it is logical that you react to that,” Miedema continued. “It’s about how we tackle it and get it under control. Ideally, I would be ‘top-top fit’ again by the time of the Olympic Games.

“Then it would be nice if we qualified for that. Otherwise, it doesn’t make much sense.”

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Miedema’s words emphasise the delicate balance between pushing for full recovery and managing her fitness wisely. She is determined to be in peak condition for the Olympics but also recognises the need for careful planning with the Netherlands potentially facing back-to-back, extra-time matches in the upcoming games.

Beyond Miedema’s fitness, Dutch national team coach and former Arsenal man, Andries Jonker, has other concerns. The absence of former Arsenal player, Jill Roord, due to a cruciate ligament injury underscores the demanding nature of modern football schedules.

Jonker said about the situation, “You notice that it is the time of year when clubs complete very intensive programs. The players are squeaking and creaking and we have to look carefully in the coming days to see who can be on the field on Friday.”

The Netherlands face Spain in the UEFA Women’s Nations League semi-final on Friday, 23 February with an 8pm kick-off. 

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