8 goal 21yo former Gunner wants “fantastic” Arsenal return | OneFootball

Mika Biereth‘s strong form at Sturm Graz has already led to speculation about his future, and the former Arsenal academy striker isn’t ruling out a return to north London.

Though focused on his current success in Austria, Biereth admitted that the prospect of one day pulling on an Arsenal shirt again would be “fantastic.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Mika Biereth of Arsenal celebrates after he scores his teams second goal during the Papa John’s Trophy match between Arsenal U21 and Chelsea U21 at Emirates Stadium on January 11, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The 21-year-old forward, who joined Sturm Graz permanently this summer following a successful loan spell, has been in red-hot form, scoring eight goals and providing one assist in 13 domestic games.

His recent hat-trick against RB Salzburg demonstrated his development, showcasing the kind of attacking instinct that initially caught Arsenal’s attention.

But despite his ambitions to potentially return to Arsenal, Biereth remains grounded. “A transfer back to Arsenal would be fantastic,” he told TV2, “but it’s not something I’m focusing on right now. If I keep playing well and scoring goals, hopefully a change can come, but right now I’m focused on Sturm and on doing well and scoring goals.”

Mika Biereth celebrates winning the OFB Cup (Photo via Biereth on Instagram)

Biereth’s career at Arsenal never took off at senior level. The Danish striker arrived from Fulham in 2021 after excelling in their youth system, and despite being named in several Arsenal senior matchday squads, he did not make a first-team appearance.

Loan spells followed at RKC Waalwijk and Kilmarnock, but it was his stint at Sturm Graz in January 2024 that finally gave him the platform to shine.

During that loan, Biereth helped Sturm secure a domestic double, scoring nine goals in 22 matches and quickly earning the adoration of the fans.

The success of his loan stint made the permanent transfer a natural progression, and the Austrian side moved quickly to secure his services for around £4m, a club record fee.

Mika Biereth celebrating a goal for Sturm Graz (Photo via Sturm Graz on Twitter)

Arsenal included a significant sell-on clause in the deal, clearly recognising the potential value that Biereth might yet realise.

Under contract with Sturm Graz until 2028, Biereth is thriving. The Austrian league leaders are counting on him to continue delivering in their title defence, and he’s determined to prove his worth in every match.

Biereth has expressed satisfaction with his current situation, pointing out the benefits of playing in a smaller city like Graz compared to the distractions of London. “Things are going well in Sturm Graz. I have nothing to complain about right now. I play every week at a good level, and now we also play in the Champions League, where I’m still waiting for my first goal,” Biereth said.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Mika Biereth of Arsenal celebrates after he scores his teams second goal during the Papa John’s Trophy match between Arsenal U21 and Chelsea U21 at Emirates Stadium on January 11, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Though he hasn’t yet found the net in two Champions League appearances, the fact that he is playing in Europe’s most prestigious club competition speaks to the progress he has made since his Arsenal days.

Life in Graz has offered Biereth the consistency and stability that London could not. “As a young player in London, there are many distractions. Some are good, some are not so good.

“In Graz, it’s a much smaller city, and there are not so many opportunities to do something wrong,” he explained. The change of environment has allowed Biereth to focus on his football, and the results speak for themselves.

Sturm Graz have made a strong start to their 2024/25 campaign, topping the Austrian league, though the competition remains fierce, with Rapid Wien just a point behind.

GRAZ, AUSTRIA: Mika Biereth of SK Sturm Graz runs with the ball under pressure from Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge KV during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between SK Sturm Graz and Club Brugge KV at Worthersee Stadion on October 02, 2024. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

While Biereth’s eyes are firmly on his current responsibilities, it is clear that a return to Arsenal remains a dream—one that is not entirely impossible if he continues to excel.

His love for Arsenal has never faded, as evidenced by his message on social media after completing his transfer: “Once a gooner, always a gooner. Thank you for everything.”

For now, Biereth is thriving in Graz, but Arsenal fans and scouts will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on his development.