CHLOE KELLY vows she has moved on from the “dark time” that led her to leaving Manchester City for a temporary Arsenal move.
The Gunners loan star hopes the London club, where she began her senior playing career, can keep their “foot on the gas” in the chase for silverware.
It was on January 30 this year, the final day for player transfers between Women’s Super League clubs this winter, that Kelly learned Arsenal wanted to sign her.
On that date the forward, 27, whose team hosts Tottenham tomorrow, spent some time at a driving range with her husband Scott whom she married last August.
Arsenal’s WSL rivals Brighton and Manchester United were also battling for her signature before the Gunners’ dramatic late bid.
Kelly, who was practicing golf on transfer deadline day, hopes to help the club emerge as big hitters in the battle for trophies in the final stretch of this term.
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Her switch to the north London giants, from fourth-placed City, was revealed by the club three minutes before the 11pm deadline for WSL player moves.
It was out of my hands of what was going to be accepted. But it was definitely exciting when Arsenal called.
Chloe Kelly
And tomorrow, 17 days on from her sealing a return to the Gunners, the forward could be set to play when the third-placed side host Tottenham at the Emirates.
Reflecting on the moment she learned of Arsenal’s interest, Kelly said: “He (my husband) was sat playing FIFA and he said, ‘let’s go and just get out the house’
“So we went to the driving range and Arsenal contacted (my agent) and there were great conversations.
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“I remember calling my family straight away to tell them.
“My brother went upstairs, put his Arsenal shirt on. I felt my family were really excited for the move as well, which put a smile on my face.”
Kelly’s move has seen her join some of her England pals who play for Arsenal.
Her fellow national team stars at the club are Lioness skipper Leah Williams, defender Lotte Wubben-Moy, forward Beth Mead and striker Alessia Russo.
When asked if any of her Gunners and England pals had spoken to her once they heard of the late bid, Kelly added: “They were all messaging me
“They had seen the news that I could be coming and they were like, ‘are you coming?’
“It was quite short one-word answers (in reply) to them like, ‘I don’t know, we’ll see’.
“But as soon as I stepped into the changing room, I felt such warmth and the girls have been incredible.
“It was out of my hands of what was going to be accepted etc;
“But it was definitely excited when Arsenal did call.
“That’s somewhere where I grew up playing and where I learned so much in my trade.
“I’m really excited to give back to this club because they’ve given me an opportunity to put a smile on my face and also to play the game that we love.”
Kelly’s return to the side where she made her breakthrough at a senior level at 17, was preceded by her releasing an explosive and candid public statement.
In it the Lioness expressed her desire to “be happy again” and described concerns of her “dreams being crushed” after struggling for game time at City this term.
The London-born forward hopes to regain a place in England’s squad ahead this year’s Euros.
But the first five months of this term saw her opportunities to start for Gareth Taylor’s City side limited.
So far this season, the scorer of England’s’ tournament-winning goal at the 2022 Euros has started in one WSL fixture.
This in contrast to her 18 top-flight starts in 21 appearances in the previous campaign.
A run that helped the Cityzens take the title race to the wire before they finished second on goal difference.
This Sunday, against Tottenham, Kelly could potentially be named in a first XI line-up of a top tier fixture for the first time since October 6.
Her last first team outing in the league was during a 2-0 Man City defeat of West Ham.
It was a relief that I had spoken in how I needed to speak and whether my move got over the line or not.
Chloe Kelly
On how this season has at times felt for her due to the lack of match action, Kelly said: “It’s been tough mentally. It’s been draining at times.
“But I’m a professional and I know I hold myself to a high level.
“However I think as a human, it was a tough time for me and I’m ready to move forward now.”
Kelly’s statement was issued with the forward entering the final months of her contract with Man City.
Her current deal with her parent club is due to expire in June with the player becoming a free agent then.
Of her mindset at certain points this term and how she felt about issuing a public statement, Kelly added: “It was still a dark time for me because I didn’t know how my future looked.
“It was a relief that I had spoken in how I needed to speak and whether my move got over the line or not.
“I was grateful to be able to share my words.”
Despite the fallout that surrounded her loan move away from City, Kelly is grateful for the special moments shared with her team-mates there and the club’s supporters.
Since joining the Cityzens in 2020 after four years at Everton, Kelly has lifted an FA Cup and Women’s League Cup.
The 48-capped England ace said: “I’m very grateful for the memories I created at the club and the relationships I built with amazing players
“I went there for success and won a couple of trophies as well so I’m very grateful for the opportunity to represent the badge.
“Sometimes in life you can’t write the future, but you can always make sure that you’re the best person every day
“I try to be the best professional and the best person every day for my team-mates and that was really important for me as a human being but as a team-mate too.”
Kelly’s recovery from a knee ligament tear sustained in May 2021 was followed by the forward’s inclusion in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for the Euros a year later.
The Lionesses’ historic triumph in the tournament’s final marked an international high point for Kelly.
Her memorable close-range finish sealed a 2-1 Wembley victory over Germany in front of a record crowd of 87,192.
Earlier this week Wiegman revealed Kelly had been dropped from the national squad ahead of their Women’s Nations League duels with Portugal and Spain this month.
However the Lioness boss suggested the door was not closed on the forward potentially returning to the national side.
And with another European Championship on the horizon, and England targeting back-to-back contest wins, she intends to give Wiegman a selection headache.
The Arsenal ace added “It’s everyone’s dream to play for England but it’s not a given.
“I need to work and get back on the pitch and show what I’m capable of before that.
“Sarina has been incredible throughout the process.
“I’m excited to hopefully be at my best here (Arsenal) to be able to put the shirt on that I enjoy doing so much.”
Before her Arsenal return, Kelly’s last goal in a Gunners shirt was netted in June 2017 when she scored against Bristol City.
Sunday could see her back in WSL action for the Gunners making her second debut for the club at the Emirates in the North London derby.
Renee Slegers’ side are eager to try and gain ground on league leaders Chelsea who have a nine-point advantage
Kelly added: “I’m ready for the fight again and to show what I’m capable of.
“I’m really looking forward to stepping out and hearing the noise from our fans.
“I’ve been involved in being around the squad for the last three games, the last two games at home.
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“It’s been amazing to hear the fans and they really get behind the girls.
Arsenal’s game against Tottenham will be broadcast live on BBC Two at 12:30pm on February 16.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
