Former Arsenal striker Mika Biereth has opened up about his decision to leave the North London club and join Austrian side Sturm Graz on a permanent deal.
In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, the 21-year-old Danish forward reflected on his journey and the factors that led him to make what he described as a “pretty easy decision” to move away from Arsenal.
His words echo the sentiment of many young players who struggle to break into the first team at top clubs like Arsenal and look elsewhere to continue their development.
“It was a pretty easy decision,” Biereth told Flashscore.
“I enjoyed my loan spell, and we won the championship and the cup. When I came back to Arsenal and saw that playing time was a long way off, I wanted to come back to Graz.
“There were a few clubs enquiring, but I made it very clear that I wanted to return to Sturm Graz, where I have felt welcome and part of the team.”
A promising start at Arsenal, but limited first-team chances
Biereth joined Arsenal in 2021 from Fulham after excelling in their youth setup, but despite being named in the senior matchday squad four times, he never made a first-team appearance.
Loan spells became the next step for the young striker, including stints at RKC Waalwijk and Kilmarnock, but it was his loan move to Sturm Graz in January 2024 that truly ignited his career.
During his loan spell at Sturm Graz, Biereth helped the club secure a domestic double, scoring nine goals in 22 matches, and quickly endeared himself to the fans.
His success in Austria, combined with the prospect of more playing time, made the decision to leave Arsenal straightforward.
The Austrian side moved to secure his services on a permanent basis, paying around £4 million for the Danish striker, a record transfer for the club. Arsenal also have a significant sell-on clause in the deal.
Life in Graz vs. life in London
For Biereth, the move to Graz was not just about football. In his interview with Flashscore, he explained how the smaller, quieter city of Graz offered fewer distractions than London, which he believes is better for his development as a player.
“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,” Biereth noted.
The switch in environment has allowed Biereth to focus more on his game and personal growth. “It’s a different lifestyle in Graz. We have a young squad, so it’s not quite as boring, but I think it’s a better lifestyle for a 21-year-old footballer,” he said.
Champions League football and a fresh start
Sturm Graz’s success in Austria will also allow Biereth to take part in the Champions League, something that likely wouldn’t have been possible had he stayed at Arsenal. “Of course, I’m sad to have left Arsenal. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world, but now I’m in Graz, playing Champions League football,” he reflected.
“It’s only when you leave the Arsenal bubble that you realise how hard it is to make a name for yourself. When you’re 18 or 19, Arsenal is all you dream about, and if you don’t make the first team you feel like a failure.
“Of course I had hoped to make my debut for the first team and get the opportunity to show myself off. It didn’t happen, and I don’t want to sit around feeling sorry for myself. It was the perfect time for me to move on.”
Now under contract with Sturm Graz until 2028, Biereth is focused on continuing his strong start to the season, which has seen him score four goals, with one assist, in seven games.
His goal is to build on what eluded him last season. “My goal is to become more consistent. During my loan I started well, but then it fizzled out a bit at the end. I want to get better at that, so that it doesn’t come in periods, but comes more fluently.”
Biereth’s fond memories of Arsenal
Although Biereth left Arsenal without making a first-team appearance, he remains fond of his time at the club. Posting on Instagram after his transfer, he wrote, “Once a gooner, always a gooner. Thank you for everything.”
His departure, however, serves as a reminder that for some players, leaving the club can open doors to success and playing time that might not have been possible had they stayed.
Biereth’s move to Sturm Graz has given him the opportunity to not only play regular football but also compete at the highest level in European competitions.
As he continues to develop in Austria, both Arsenal fans and football observers will be watching closely to see how the young striker’s career unfolds if, for not other reason than to work out how much Arsenal could make from that sell-on clause.