When Chloe Kelly stepped up to take the title-winning penalty against Spain in the Euro 2025 final shootout, the world saw a player radiating confidence. The Lionesses icon had already scored a hat-trick against West Ham in March, but behind that assured exterior, the Arsenal forward admits there were darker moments.
Her arrival at Arsenal in January 2025 ended a difficult spell at Manchester City, where she felt compelled to go public about wanting to leave. Handed a way out by the club she represented as a junior, she says she was not sure what to expect when signing for Renee Slegers' side. "A bit of a fear of the unknown. I reflect on [the end of her City spell] as a dark moment but one of learning about myself," she tells BBC Sport.
“Chloe Kelly says she 'needed this summer' after an injury-hit 2025-26 season at Arsenal.”
Eighteen months on, and now a Champions League and Champions Cup winner, she has made her mark at Arsenal. Kelly made a rapid start in the second half of the 2024-25 season, scoring twice and providing five assists, helping the club win a second Women's Champions League title. She then played an instrumental role in England retaining the European Championships that summer, including scoring the title-winning penalty against Spain.
Last season, however, was less successful. Hampered by injury, she only started four times in the Women's Super League. "I had big goals to do amazing things at Arsenal in my first full season and I was a little disappointed I wasn't able to," she says. "I think I needed this summer to work on myself physically, balancing working in the gym, on the pitch and getting downtime. I am in a really good place at the moment. My main goal is to stay fit and fresh all season and be ready when called upon."
Despite the added allure of a World Cup in Brazil next summer, Kelly is keeping her focus on the short term. "My goals and assists are really important so I'll make sure I'm right at it," she adds. The new campaign kicks off on Friday, 4 September, and Kelly is itching to get going.