Mika Biereth's 13 goals in 15 games have helped Monaco qualify for the Champions League next season As Arsenal approach the end of the season without a trophy or a recognised striker, there is a player who was on the Gunners' books 12 months ago who is now one of Europe's most prolific goalscorers. Mika Biereth has scored 13 goals in 15 Ligue 1 games since arriving at Monaco in January, having initially left north London to join Sturm Graz for about £4m including add-ons last summer. The 22-year-old scored three hat-tricks in February alone, registering 10 goals in his first 10 games for Monaco and earning a first senior cap for Denmark. Only Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, with 18, has scored more goals in Europe's top five leagues since Biereth arrived at Stade Louis II. Arsenal's top league goalscorer in that period is makeshift forward Mikel Merino, with five. "I'm happy to find myself at Monaco and enjoying myself in life and in football and everything is working really well," Biereth, who never made a first-team appearance for the Gunners, tells BBC Sport. "I wouldn't say that my career path has been the most linear or most easy to predict. I think that there has been a lot of moving around and a lot of different places and a lot of different cultures. "That helps when you do make it and a move to Monaco - you can adapt really quickly and things go really well." Biereth was scoring goals for Fulham at youth level when he grabbed the attention of scouts at Arsenal. The Gunners have changed their academy recruitment in recent years, adopting a more targeted approach when signing young players, with Biereth and goalkeeper Tommy Setford, who joined from Ajax, examples of this. The highly rated Setford may be an academy signing but the 19-year-old has been training with the first team since he arrived and made his debut in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, while Biereth was one of the early changes to the club's recruitment at that level when he signed in 2021. What Arsenal really liked about Biereth, who was born in London but in addition to Denmark also qualifies for England, Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina, was his personality and characteristics alongside his goal-scoring ability. But Biereth joined when boss Mikel Arteta had established Arsenal's possession-based style, and the pathway to the first team was tough for a young forward who describes himself as an "old-fashioned" striker. That wasn't to say that Biereth would never have had a chance, particularly with the recent injury crisis Arsenal have suffered, but it would have just been more difficult for him. He went on loan to Dutch top-flight club RKC Waalwijk in 2022, scoring two goals in 13 games in a spell he says "wasn't the most ideal", before moving to Scotland with Motherwell the next season, where he scored six goals and supplied five assists in 11 league starts. Another loan spell at what he calls the "next level" arrived with Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga before Biereth joined permanently last summer, scoring 14 goals in 25 games including two in the Champions League.. His goalscoring exploits since arriving at Monaco saw him make his debut for Denmark in the Nations League in March. "I'm quite a simple striker, a bit old fashioned in terms of not too bothered about build-up play and looking pretty and appearing in too many YouTube highlights," he explains. "I stick to my job and try and do it as efficiently as possible, and that is score goals. "A lot of my goals are not the prettiest ones, probably rebounds within the five-yard line and really close to the goal. That's just how I play." Mika Biereth never made a senior appearance for Arsenal Biereth is happy he took those decisions to test himself on loan at senior level while at Arsenal and says he was always in conversation with the club with the idea being for him to "get loaned out and get experience and then come back into the building and see how it goes". "I think every time I got loaned out and came back into the building, there was a feeling there that there was no real opportunity," he adds. "I'm not one of those who is just going to hang around and kick a ball around with the under-21s and hope for a little chance in training." While Biereth might not have found the chance to break through at first-team level with Arsenal, it is felt the deal for him to leave is one that has worked out for everyone. Arsenal feel Biereth received a good footballing education and built a good profile, with the move allowing an academy player to succeed in senior football, which is another example of success for young players - even if they don't make it at Arsenal. For Biereth it showed that he can excel at the top level and his time at Sturm Graz showed he can score in the Champions League, something which made him an attractive prospect for Monaco. "When you are at Arsenal, you think that playing for Arsenal is the be all and end all," he says. "But I think once you grow up a little bit and experience some stuff in football you can see that there are many other good clubs to play at, at a top level." Biereth made his Denmark debut against Portugal in March The obvious question for Biereth is that if he had stayed at Arsenal, would he have got the chance to play under Arteta and, ultimately, been able to score the goals to keep them in the Premier League title race for longer? "Yeah, I think not only am I thinking that - maybe a few other people are thinking that. I think that is just how football works," says Biereth. "When I was there, I was not really getting a feeling that there was an opportunity for me. I didn't want to wait around and hope for something lucky. I'd rather go out and prove myself and I think I have done that to a certain extent so far. "Football is a weird sport, you can always think 'what if I didn't do this or what if I didn't do that?' "The way I think about stuff is that I can't keep thinking about 'what if I stayed?' I'm really happy here at Monaco and playing really well and we have just secured Champions League football for next season." Since losing starting forward Kai Havertz to injury following a 5-1 win over Manchester City in February, and with Gabriel Jesus already out for the season, Arsenal have won just four of their 12 Premier League games. Biereth has both outscored any Arsenal player and outperformed his expected goals to a larger extent than any of his former team-mates in that period. He may have got an opportunity at Emirates Stadium through circumstance, but Arsenal would have gone into the transfer market regardless this summer looking for a new striker. "It's crazy to think that just two seasons ago I couldn't get a kick in the Dutch league for not one of the bigger teams," says Biereth. "But football changes really quickly." Now he is set to play in the Champions League with Monaco next season, while attempting to help Denmark to the World Cup next summer. "I'm really proud to first get a move to a team in a top five league and then to start playing well here," Biereth says. "With the international recognition, it was not only a proud moment for me but my family as well. "That's the pinnacle of everything, representing my family's country and my country and to do it really proudly."
The ex-Arsenal man scoring goals for fun at Monaco
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Mika Biereth Thrives at AS Monaco After Leaving Arsenal"
Bbc News
7.3
TruthLens AI Summary
Mika Biereth, a former Arsenal player, has emerged as a standout striker at AS Monaco, scoring 13 goals in just 15 Ligue 1 matches since his arrival in January. His impressive performance not only highlights his individual talent but has also played a crucial role in helping Monaco secure a spot in the Champions League for the next season. Biereth's journey began when he left Arsenal for Sturm Graz last summer, where he showcased his goal-scoring abilities with 14 goals in 25 games, including two in the Champions League. His recent form at Monaco has made him one of the most prolific scorers in Europe, second only to Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid. Given Arsenal's struggles with injuries and a lack of recognized strikers, Biereth's success raises questions about whether he could have made a difference had he remained with the Gunners.
Despite his youth, Biereth's path to success has been anything but linear. He initially caught the attention of Arsenal scouts while playing youth football for Fulham, and joined the Gunners' academy in 2021. However, with the emergence of a possession-based style under manager Mikel Arteta, opportunities for young forwards were limited. Biereth's multiple loan spells at various clubs provided him with invaluable experience, although he felt he was not given a fair chance to break into the first team. He has expressed satisfaction with his current situation at Monaco, stating that his time there has allowed him to flourish as a player. His goal-scoring prowess has also earned him a senior cap for Denmark, further solidifying his status as a rising star in European football. Biereth reflects on his career choices, emphasizing that while he once viewed playing for Arsenal as the pinnacle, he now recognizes the value of competing at a high level with other clubs, demonstrating that success can be found outside of the traditional powerhouses of football.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the impressive performance of Mika Biereth, a former Arsenal player, who has found great success at AS Monaco. It juxtaposes his achievements with Arsenal's struggles, particularly their lack of a recognized striker and trophy wins this season. This comparison not only emphasizes Biereth's growth but also reflects on Arsenal's current predicament, potentially influencing perceptions about the club's management and recruitment strategies.
Purpose of the Article
This article aims to showcase Biereth's success story as a way to highlight Arsenal's shortcomings in player development and scouting. By focusing on Biereth’s prolific scoring at Monaco, the piece suggests that Arsenal may have let a promising talent slip away, raising questions about their scouting and player management practices.
Perception Creation
The narrative creates a perception that Arsenal is failing to capitalize on young talent, especially in contrast to Biereth’s current form. It subtly critiques the club's decision-making, which could resonate with fans who are frustrated with the team’s performance. The article also serves to bolster Biereth’s reputation, positioning him as a rising star in European football.
Information Omission
While the article praises Biereth, it does not delve into the potential reasons behind his departure from Arsenal, such as competition for positions or the club's developmental strategies. This omission may lead readers to form a one-sided view of the situation, focusing solely on Biereth’s success rather than the broader context of his career path.
Reliability of the News
The reliability of the information presented hinges on the accuracy of the statistics and the context provided. The article cites specific numbers regarding Biereth's scoring record and compares it with Arsenal's performance. However, without additional data or insight into the decision-making processes at Arsenal, the narrative could be seen as somewhat biased, focusing more on sensationalizing Biereth’s achievements rather than providing a holistic view.
Potential Impact on Society and Economy
The implications of this narrative may influence Arsenal's fanbase and could have repercussions on the club’s marketability and commercial partnerships. If the perception of the club’s management deteriorates, it may impact ticket sales and merchandise revenue. Additionally, if Biereth continues to excel, it could draw attention to the effectiveness of youth development programs, prompting other clubs to reassess their scouting strategies.
Target Audience
The article seems tailored for football enthusiasts, particularly Arsenal fans who are invested in the club's fortunes. It may appeal to those who are interested in the dynamics of player transfers and the development of young talent within European football.
Market Influence
In terms of market impact, this news could affect Arsenal's stock value if the club is publicly traded, particularly if fan discontent leads to decreased sales. The focus on young talents like Biereth could also influence scouting trends among clubs, possibly driving up the value of similar players in the market.
Global Power Dynamics
While this article primarily focuses on a specific player and club, it reflects broader themes in football regarding the development of young talent and the importance of effective management. The ongoing discourse around player development in football is relevant in the context of global sports economics and the competition among clubs to nurture and retain talent.
Artificial Intelligence Usage
It is unlikely that AI was directly involved in the writing of this piece; however, AI tools may have been used for data analysis or to generate statistical insights regarding player performance. Such tools could assist writers in crafting narratives based on performance metrics, although the subjective interpretation remains human.
In summary, this article serves as a commentary on both a player’s success and a club’s challenges, with a potential bias towards highlighting Arsenal's failures in player management. The reliability of the content is somewhat limited due to the lack of broader context regarding Biereth's departure and the club's current strategies.