Vivianne Miedema and Victoria Pelova will be unavailable for the Netherlands' must-win game against Germany, dealing Arsenal a scare in the process.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Miedema & Pelova leave Dutch campWill miss Netherlands' Olympics play-off with GermanyCould impact Arsenal's WSL title chaseWHAT HAPPENED?
The Netherlands face Germany on Wednesday night in the UEFA Women's Nations League's third-place match. However, it's significance goes way beyond that, with the winner to get UEFA's final place in the Olympic women's football tournament this summer. However, the Dutch will have to do it without Miedema and Pelova after announcing that the pair have left the national team and returned to Arsenal.
AdvertisementWHAT WAS SAID
In a brief statement on Tuesday, the Netherlands' national team said: "Vivianne Miedema and Victoria Pelova are not available for next Wednesday's UEFA Women's Nations League Finals match against Germany. Both players have left the Dutch national team selection and are returning to Arsenal."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The news will also be of concern to Arsenal fans. The Gunners face Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday, looking to get revenge on their local rivals after a first-ever loss to them in December. A win will be vital in keeping their WSL title hopes alive, too, with Arsenal now only three points behind leaders Chelsea. Next Wednesday, the Gunners then have a huge Continental Cup semi-final against Aston Villa. Miedema and Pelova will be huge losses if they are unavailable in a big week.
DID YOU KNOW?
Pelova leads the Women's Super League in assists this season with five, while Miedema is the division's all-time top goal-scorer having netted 79 times in 101 appearances since signing for Arsenal from Bayern Munich in 2017.
