Arsenal have been dealt a devastating blow after forward Chloe Kelly  suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during training. The 27-year-old england goal scorer  sustained the injury just a day before the Gunners’ 2–0 Champions League victory over Benfica on Thursday. Although she had lost her starting place, she now faces a very long spell on the sidelines.

Arsenal Dealt Major Blow as Chloe Kelly Suffers Devastating ACL Injury.

 

Arsenal Women have been rocked by a devastating injury blow after forward Chloe Kelly suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a training session earlier this week. The 27-year-old England international sustained the injury just a day before the Gunners’ 2–0 UEFA Women’s Champions League victory over Benfica on Thursday night.

The club confirmed the severity of the injury in a statement released on Friday, with scans revealing a complete tear of the ACL in her right knee. Kelly is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process that will likely rule her out for the rest of the 2025/26 season.

The timing of the injury is cruel for both player and club. Although Kelly had recently lost her place in the starting XI, her versatility, experience, and impact off the bench have remained key components in Jonas Eidevall’s squad rotation. With a heavy fixture schedule ahead that includes Champions League ties, WSL clashes, and domestic cup competitions, Arsenal now find themselves one attacker short in a season where squad depth is crucial.

Kelly’s injury is not only a major blow for Arsenal but also for England manager Sarina Wiegman, with Euro 2025 qualifiers and preparations underway. Having been a hero during England’s triumphant Euro 2022 campaign—famously scoring the winner in the final—Kelly has continued to play a vital role for the Lionesses, offering pace, directness, and an eye for goal on the wing.

The ACL rupture marks the second serious knee injury of Kelly’s career. She previously suffered a similar setback in 2021 while playing for Manchester City, an injury that sidelined her for over 11 months. That she now faces another grueling recovery process is a cruel twist of fate for a player who had worked so hard to return to top form.

Eidevall expressed his support for the player following Thursday’s match, saying, “We’re all devastated for Chloe. She’s an incredible professional and a fighter, and we know she’ll tackle this challenge with the same determination she brings every day. The whole club is behind her.”

The injury raises further questions about the increasing prevalence of ACL injuries in women’s football, an issue that continues to plague top-level players. Stars such as Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, and Catarina Macario have all endured similar injuries in recent seasons, prompting calls for more research into the causes, prevention strategies, and training modifications needed to better protect players.

For now, Arsenal will need to adapt. The return of Lina Hurtig and the form of Cloe Lacasse and Stina Blackstenius could help fill the attacking void left by Kelly, but her absence will undoubtedly be felt in key moments.

As Kelly prepares to begin yet another recovery journey, the footballing world will be united in wishing her a full and speedy return to action. For a player with such resilience and spirit, there’s little doubt she’ll be back stronger—though for now, the road ahead looks long.