“I’m Sad to Have Left Arsenal,” Says Mika Biereth as He Explains Why He Made the Decision to Depart

Former Arsenal prospect Mika Biereth has opened up about his decision to leave the North London club, expressing sadness at parting ways with a team where he developed as a young footballer. The 21-year-old striker, who recently signed for RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie, has explained the reasons behind his move, highlighting the need for regular first-team football and the opportunity for further development.

Biereth, who joined Arsenal in 2021 from Fulham, was considered one of the most promising young talents in the Gunners’ ranks. Despite this, the Danish youth international struggled to break into the senior squad on a regular basis and felt that leaving the club would provide him with the playing opportunities he craved.

Mika Biereth’s journey at Arsenal began in the summer of 2021 when he joined the club’s academy after a breakout season at Fulham, where he had scored 21 goals in 21 appearances for the Under-18s. Arsenal identified Biereth as a player with immense potential, and he was quickly integrated into the Under-23s squad.

During his time in Arsenal’s academy, Biereth impressed with his physical presence, eye for goal, and technical ability. His performances helped the Under-23s side achieve success in Premier League 2, and there were high hopes that he would eventually make the step up to the first team under Mikel Arteta.

However, despite his development at the academy level, opportunities with Arsenal’s senior squad proved elusive. With a first team brimming with attacking talent, including the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and new signing Kai Havertz, Biereth found it difficult to secure regular minutes.

To gain more experience and first-team football, Biereth spent the 2023–2024 season on loan at RKC Waalwijk in the Dutch Eredivisie. The loan spell proved successful for the young striker, as he managed to find the back of the net several times and adapt well to the physical demands of top-flight football in the Netherlands.

His performances at Waalwijk caught the attention of several European clubs, but despite the possibility of returning to Arsenal, Biereth made the difficult decision to move permanently to the Eredivisie side. Speaking about the transfer, Biereth said:

“It was a hard decision, and I’m sad to have left Arsenal. The club gave me so much, and I owe them a lot in terms of my development as a player. But at this stage in my career, I need to be playing regular first-team football, and the opportunity to do that at Waalwijk was too good to turn down.”

He went on to explain that his decision was not a reflection of any dissatisfaction with Arsenal but rather a desire to progress his career by playing week in, week out.

“It’s nothing against Arsenal. I’ve loved my time there, and I’ll always have fond memories of the club. But I knew that if I wanted to continue improving, I needed to be on the pitch regularly, and unfortunately, with the competition for places in the Arsenal first team, that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.”

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Arsenal, while disappointed to lose a talented player like Biereth, understood his desire for regular football and did not stand in the way of the move. Speaking about the transfer, Arsenal’s academy manager Per Mertesacker said:

“Mika is a fantastic young player, and we’re very proud of what he’s achieved at Arsenal. We’ve watched him grow since he joined from Fulham, and we’re pleased with how he developed during his loan spell in the Netherlands. We understand his decision to leave in pursuit of regular first-team football, and we wish him all the best in the next step of his career.”

Mertesacker also highlighted the importance of Arsenal’s youth development system and how players like Biereth benefit from gaining experience at senior levels, whether that be through loans or permanent transfers.

“Not every player’s journey will involve staying at Arsenal for the long term, and sometimes the best path for a player’s development is to seek opportunities elsewhere. We’re proud of Mika’s progression, and we hope to see him continue his rise in the Eredivisie,” he added.

Now at RKC Waalwijk, Biereth is focused on continuing his development and proving himself as a top-level striker in the Eredivisie. The Dutch side has shown faith in his abilities, and Biereth has already made an impact with his performances on the field. With regular minutes under his belt, the striker believes that this new chapter in his career will allow him to reach his full potential.

Speaking about his ambitions at Waalwijk, Biereth said:

“I’m excited to be here, and I’m looking forward to helping the team achieve its goals this season. Playing regular football in a competitive league like the Eredivisie will allow me to grow as a player, and I’m determined to make the most of this opportunity.”

Biereth also expressed his gratitude to the Waalwijk coaching staff and players for helping him settle into his new environment.

“Everyone here has been so welcoming, and I’m already feeling at home. The team plays a style of football that suits me, and I’m eager to contribute with goals and assists this season,” he said.

Arsenal’s decision to allow Biereth to leave is part of the club’s ongoing strategy of developing young talent while ensuring players have the best opportunity to succeed, even if that means moving on from the club. The North London side has a strong track record of nurturing young players through its academy, with several graduates making their mark in the Premier League and across Europe.

While Biereth’s departure is a loss for Arsenal, the club remains committed to providing opportunities for its young players to flourish, both at the Emirates Stadium and beyond. Players like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Folarin Balogun have all progressed through the ranks to become key figures for the Gunners, and the club will continue to prioritize youth development as a core part of its identity.

As Mika Biereth embarks on a new journey at RKC Waalwijk, both Arsenal and the player can reflect on a mutually beneficial relationship that helped shape his career. While Biereth may be sad to leave the club that gave him his start, his focus is now on fulfilling his potential in the Eredivisie, and he remains grateful for the opportunities Arsenal provided him along the way.