Arsenal Women’s forward Chloe Kelly has informed the club’s coaching staff that she will be unavailable for the next three weekends as she deals with personal family matters. The England international has decided to temporarily step away from football duties to focus on resolving an ongoing situation at home that requires her full attention.

Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly Informs Coach She Will Be on the Sidelines for Three Weekends Due to Ongoing Family Issues

 

Arsenal Women’s forward Chloe Kelly has informed the club’s coaching staff that she will be unavailable for the next three weekends as she deals with personal family matters. The England international has decided to temporarily step away from football duties to focus on resolving an ongoing situation at home that requires her full attention.

In a statement shared through club channels, Kelly said, “Right now, I’m going through a difficult period with my family, and I’ve made the decision to take some time away from the game. It’s not easy stepping aside, especially during a busy part of the season, but some things are bigger than football. I’ve spoken with the coach and the team, and I’m grateful for their understanding and support.”

The 27-year-old joined Arsenal earlier this year and has already made a significant impact with her pace, creativity, and attacking prowess. Known for her decisive runs and sharp finishing, Kelly has quickly become a key player in Jonas Eidevall’s squad, helping the team push for domestic and European success.

Her absence will be felt during an important stretch of fixtures, but the club has made it clear that her well-being comes first. Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall spoke about the situation during a pre-match press conference on Friday.

“Chloe has our full support,” Eidevall said. “Family comes first, and we completely respect her decision to take this time. We’ve always maintained that our players are people first, and we’ll be here for her throughout this period. We look forward to welcoming her back when she’s ready.”

While the details of the family issue have not been made public, fans and fellow players have responded with an outpouring of support. Social media platforms were quickly filled with messages of encouragement from teammates, supporters, and even rival clubs, applauding Kelly for prioritizing her personal life and demonstrating strength during a challenging time.

Kelly’s situation underscores the growing recognition in professional sports of the importance of mental health, personal balance, and family responsibility. In recent years, clubs across the men’s and women’s game have taken steps to provide more comprehensive emotional and psychological support for players dealing with life outside of football.

Though she will miss at least three weekend matches, Kelly is expected to remain in contact with the team and return to training once her situation stabilizes. In the meantime, her temporary absence will create opportunities for other attacking players in the Arsenal squad to step up and fill the void.

Arsenal continues to compete at the top of the Women’s Super League table, and while Kelly’s absence will be noticeable, the strength of the squad will be tested in the coming weeks.

Supporters across the country will no doubt be wishing Chloe Kelly strength and peace as she navigates this personal period. Her presence on the pitch will be missed, but her decision reflects courage and perspective that transcend sport.