It’s said that time waits for no one, but it stood still for Vivianne Miedema at 22 minutes past 4 on Saturday, May 18.

Played in behind by a needle-threading pass from Beth Mead, Miedema picked her moment to burst between three Brighton defenders. 

She barely needed to look up at goal to find the far corner with a collected finish, scoring with her first touch after being introduced in the 62nd minute.

If the feat of finding the net immediately was remarkable, which it was, the sight of the so-often humble and unassuming Miedema racing away celebrating showed just how much this moment meant. 

Without a second thought, the Dutchwoman raised both arms and was mobbed by her teammates in front of the South Stand. Mead could not have embraced her any tighter, and even the travelling Brighton fans joined the home supporters in applause.

“Most people can’t write their own farewell, but maybe you can do that if you are her,” said Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall after the game. The Swede had audibly come under fire at Meadow Park for the decision to let Miedema go, but even his harshest critics couldn’t disagree with that line.

If anything, Miedema’s flawless cameo, which included setting up Frida Maanum to make it 5-0, threw more weight behind the argument that Arsenal simply had to offer one of the greatest to pull on the red and white shirt a new contract.

Yes, Miedema had struggled with injury this season, returning triumphantly from an ACL injury only to undergo further issues that kept her sidelined, but when she has been on the pitch, and used effectively, she has been impactful.

Eidevall will perhaps feel that Miedema’s departure offers a chance to refresh the squad and move forward, but her spell on Saturday afternoon offered a glimpse into what a fully fit Vivianne Miedema raring to go in 2024/25 could threaten to deliver for Arsenal.

The Arsenal boss was criticised loudly by a minority of fans during Miedema’s interview on the pitch after full-time, with shouts of “Jonas out” and “give her a new contract” arguably poorly timed for what should have been Miedema’s chance to say goodbye.

Her departure has been a decision that has split the fanbase, and understandably so. A legend for club and country leaving at the ripe age of 27 was never a decision that Arsenal could expect to be taken well by the majority of supporters, and if Miedema flourishes in pastures new, then criticism will likely be heightened.

Miedema had little say in writing the script of her departure from North London, but the iconic figure’s masterful final introduction to Meadow Park was crafted to pure perfection. Time stood still, just for a moment.