The last time Chloe Kelly scored a goal for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League was also the last time they lost a match – Sunday, 4 October 2025 against league leaders Manchester City.
On Saturday against West Ham, she ended her goal drought in emphatic fashion, scoring twice in a player-of-the-match performance.
It was the first time the England international had scored a double in almost three years. That was back in April 2023 – also against the Hammers – when she was playing for Manchester City.
Kelly re-signed for the Gunners on loan in January 2025 until the end of the season, before joining permanently in July following the end of her City contract.
“I’ve loved every minute of being back at this club, I’ve got more to give and I want to keep improving,” Kelly said afterwards. “To keep learning and show what I can do this season.”
Manager Renee Slegers was keen to highlight Kelly’s importance to the side after this display.
“We missed Chloe when she was away with injury,” said Slegers. “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 London City Lionesses and fulfilled her first 90 [minutes] in almost a year.”
The strikes against West Ham were her third and fourth goals of the campaign, first firing into the bottom corner from outside the box and then being alert to profit from Tuva Hansen’s error to net from close range.
She had also earlier provided the assist – her third of the season – for Stina Blackstenius’ opener.
After her heroics at Euro 2025 for England, where she converted the decisive spot-kick to seal victory in the final against Spain, Kelly’s season has been disrupted by two knee injuries, restricting her to just three WSL starts this term.
However, she has completed 90 minutes in both of Arsenal’s league games this month and started their past five games in all competitions, which is timely as the Gunners reach a pivotal point in their season.
Slegers’ side face Chelsea twice in eight days in their Champions League quarter-final contest with the north London derby against Tottenham at Emirates Stadium in the WSL sandwiched in between.
In the league, they remain fourth, two points behind the Blues but with two games in hand.
Against the Hammers, Kelly was crucial to Arsenal’s style of play, linking up well with her fellow forwards and providing three of their 11 shots on target, the joint most along 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 have come at a more important time.
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