Chloe Kelly: Happy return for Arsenal forward in fresh start
2025-02-16
Category: sports

Chloe Kelly has waited a long time - but her return to Arsenal proved to be worth it.Seven years since her last Gunners appearance - 2,815 days to be exact - the England international was welcomed back by the home fans at Emirates Stadium with a raucous roar.Running on to a standing ovation from the majority of the 56,784 in attendance, Kelly made her second debut for the club where she came through the academy and had three years in the first team until leaving for Everton in 2018.The forward was a 61st-minute substitute, with Arsenal having already scored four of their five goals in the Women's Super League thrashing of north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday.It marked the end of a difficult time for Kelly and the start of a fresh beginning as she seeks to earn her place back in the England squad for this summer's Euros.Kelly joined Arsenal on loan from Manchester City on deadline day in January after saying she "wanted to be happy again" in a social media post. Struggling for game time, having made just one start in the WSL this season, Kelly has been given a chance back at Arsenal.The 27-year-old's delight was clear as she sprinted on to the pitch, the stadium announcer's voice ringing in her ears and a beaming smile on her face."It felt amazing in front of unbelievable support," Kelly told BBC Sport after the 5-0 win."Since I stepped into this club, I have felt a warm welcome. What a game to do it in - the north London derby."I felt myself on the pitch. It's been easy to walk into this dressing room with unbelievable players and the staff."
'I am ready to fight for my shirt'
With Arsenal cruising when Kelly was introduced, she slotted into a free-flowing frontline and created opportunities.She hit the crossbar with a dinked effort late on, shortly after the crowd cheered as she made her way to the corner flag to take a set-piece. Before coming on, fans were on their feet in anticipation, watching the fourth official as manager Renee Slegers spoke to Kelly on the touchline."My final message was 'Enjoy it, you get your welcome back in an Arsenal shirt and it is a very special occasion, so enjoy it'," said Slegers."She has been smiling a lot in training and working really hard. She's passionate as a person. You can see she's smiling a lot and is very happy with where she's at. "I think that's important, that you have players in a good place, [who] feel good and feel motivated. That is when you get the most out of yourself."Kelly was in high spirits at full-time, walking around the pitch smiling and laughing with England captain Leah Williamson.On hitting the bar, she said: "I thought it was going in."Williamson joked: "And the shirt would have come off!"It has not been plain sailing for Kelly since her iconic celebration - when she took off her Lionesses shirt and waved it around her head seconds after scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium.But she is enjoying her football again."The challenge is always there and I am ready to fight for my shirt and I want to work hard to do so," added Kelly."It's all about building relationships with those players that you play together with on the field."I have settled in really well and am building those relationships already. I am just having fun."