'I needed this summer' - what next for Arsenal's Kelly?

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Chloe Kelly scored five goals in 2025-26, including a hat-trick against West Ham in March By Joe Bradshaw BBC Sport senior journalist Published 12 minutes ago Lionesses icon. Fashion trailblazer. Baller League coach. Arsenal title-chaser. Chloe Kelly has plenty to keep her busy - but the conviction she shows on the pitch and in front of the camera has belied trickier times behind the scenes. 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. On a summer day at the Gunners' training ground - decked in the red-and-white kit she first wore at the age of 12 - the England forward tells BBC Sport how she felt returning to Arsenal. "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 says. Eighteen months on, and now a Champions League and Champions Cup winner , she has made her mark at Arsenal. Whether in the topless shirt-twirling after scoring in the Euro 2022 final for England, or in the shrug of the shoulders after netting against Italy in the 2025 semi-finals, Kelly exudes self-assurance - but insists that is not always so. "In moments where I'm confident, I'll show it, but that's not always the case," she says. "In other moments, I need a little arm around the shoulder." 'I've accepted my future is not at this club' - Kelly Published 29 January 2025 'Kelly is more than the next Beckham' - the Lioness shifting the culture Published 28 July 2025 Kelly made a rapid start at Arsenal in the second half of the 2024-25 season, scoring twice and providing five assists, and 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 in the shootout. Last season however, was less successful. Hampered by injury, she only started four times in the Women's Super League - so is itching to get going in the new campaign, which kicks off on Friday, 4 September. "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." And despite the added allure of a World Cup in Brazil next summer should England navigate the play-offs this autumn, 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. "For me, I'll think about [the World Cup] closer to the time." Why is Kelly not a