Chloe Kelly: Arsenal striker achieves “best version” ahead of crucial week

The last time Chloe Kelly scored for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League was also the last time they lost a game – Sunday 4 October 2025 to league leaders Manchester City.

On Saturday against West Ham, she ended her goalscoring drought in emphatic fashion, scoring twice in a man-of-the-match performance.

This was the first time the England international had scored a brace in nearly three years. That was in April 2023 – also against the Hammers – when she was playing for Manchester City.

Kelly returned to Arsenal on loan in January 2025 until the end of the season, before joining permanently in July following the expiration of her contract with City.

“I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent at this club,” Kelly said afterwards. “I have more to offer and I want to keep improving.” “To keep learning and show what I can do this season.”

Manager Renee Slegers was keen to highlight Kelly’s importance to the team after this display.

“We missed Chloe while she was out with an injury,” Sligers said. “She’s back now and she’s the best version of Chloe Kelly. She’s in a great place.”

“Last week she performed really well against the London City Lionesses and got her first 90 points [minutes] In about a year.”

The strike against West Ham was her third and fourth goal of the season, as she first fired into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area and then was alert to capitalize on a Tuva Hansen mistake to tap home from close range.

She also earlier provided the assist – her third of the season – for Stina Plaxtenius’ opener.

After her heroics at Euro 2025 for England, where she converted the decisive penalty kick to seal the win in the final against Spain, Kelly’s season has been disrupted by two knee injuries, which have seen her make just three appearances in the EFL tournament this season.

However, she has completed 90 minutes in Arsenal’s two league matches this month and started their past five matches in all competitions, which comes at the right time as the Gunners reach a pivotal point in their season.

The Sluggers face Chelsea twice in eight days in a Champions League quarter-final, with the North London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium in the WSL in between.

In the league, they remain fourth, two points behind the Blues but with two games in hand.

Against the Hammers, Kelly played a decisive role in Arsenal’s style of play, combining well with her fellow strikers and hitting three of her 11 shots on target, the most with Blackstenius.

With the Gunners hoping to defend their Champions League title and reach the competition again next season, Kelly’s return to form could not come at a more important time.