Chloe Kelly says her move back to Arsenal gave her the fresh start she needed after a difficult spell at Manchester City, admitting she returned to the club with uncertainty but has since rediscovered her confidence and enjoyment of football.
The England forward described the end of her time at City as a dark period that helped her grow personally. After rejoining the club where she began her career, Kelly has lifted both the Women’s Champions League and Champions Cup, though she insists her confident public image does not always reflect how she feels behind the scenes.
Kelly enjoyed an impressive start to life back at Arsenal, contributing goals and assists as the Gunners won another European title before helping England retain the European Championship by scoring the decisive penalty in the final shootout against Spain.
However, injuries disrupted her first full season at the club, limiting her to just four Women’s Super League starts. The 28-year-old says she has used the off-season to rebuild her fitness and is determined to remain healthy throughout the upcoming campaign, with improving her goal and assist numbers her immediate priority rather than focusing on next summer’s World Cup.
Arsenal have undergone significant changes during the transfer window, with long-serving players Beth Mead and Katie McCabe departing while several new signings have arrived, including England midfielder Georgia Stanway and Spain defender Ona Batlle.
Batlle, who joined from Barcelona after winning 11 trophies in three years, believes Arsenal is the ideal club for the next stage of her career. She said the Gunners’ style of play suits her perfectly and believes the Women’s Super League offers the toughest challenge, with her ambition firmly set on winning more trophies.
Kelly also highlighted her role in helping new teammates settle into the squad, saying she enjoys making newcomers feel welcome and embracing different cultures, although she prefers spending her free time with family and her dogs once training is over.
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