Opinion - Why the Chloe Kelly to Arsenal move speaks sense on so many levels

Image: Chloe Kelly in her new Arsenal kit. Credit: @ArsenalWFC on Instagram

As a Spurs fan, it is incredibly hard for me to give Arsenal any credit in any way shape, or form. However, when it comes to the Women’s Game, it really is hard to ignore the progress and push for equality made by my team's arch rivals. 

Constant sell-outs of the Emirates Stadium, having to switch to Meadow Park for a scheduling conflict, and selling that out in an instant, also shows support never really seen in women’s football. 

Whilst down the road at Spurs, it’s fair to say the club haven’t capitalised on their FA Cup Runners up medal from last season, in which close to 35,000 Spurs fans flocked to Wembley, for their first ever major final. 

Whilst attendances are one big thing for the Gunners, their recent signing, albeit on loan of Chloe Kelly, really and truly might well trump most of the Red and White’s achievements so far.

I realise that it would be beyond stupid of me to suggest this is the biggest thing the club has

ever achieved, I understand that, I mean this is a club that are the only team ever to go invincible in the history of the  English Women’s Game, and they have won accolade after accolade pretty much every season since their inception. 

What the Kelly deal does represent however, is a place where a player can go and be loved, a player who is crying out for happiness, can go and instantly feel part of something, just ask Mariona Caldentey, who had her own chant effectively five minutes after joining. 

The circumstances are entirely different in this situation, but both players still represent the most adoring fan base Women’’s Football in England at least, has ever seen. 

I was at the Bayern game in the Champions League just before Christmas, a game which had to be moved to Meadow Park due to a scheduling conflict with the Men’s Carabao Cup Quarter Final against Crystal Palace, a decision which caused huge annoyance and disappointment for Arsenal Women’s Fans, given that the game against the German giants, had been scheduled to take place at the Emirates for almost two months.

Following a ballot for tickets, there was yet another sellout in Hertfordshire that night, which ended in a memorable 3-2 win for Arsenal in a thrilling encounter, but it was the behaviour of the fans that really stole the show. 

This was a weeknight in the lead up to Christmas, where money is tight, people are busy, hurrying around for all sorts, 3,800+ people crammed into Meadow Park.

The support shown to then interim manager, Renee Slegers was like nothing I had ever seen, I had never seen fans of a club so behind someone whose job title at the time seemed to say ‘temporary’ - later to be confirmed as the head coach after Christmas. 

The reason I touch on this is this is what Chloe Kelly is buying into, she is walking back into a club that has not only grown exponentially since she last appeared in Arsenal red but coming back to a fanbase that will feel like a warm hug, a fanbase whose arms are open and people who will say, “Don’t worry, you’ll be okay here”.  

Kelly released two damning statements as her career at Manchester City seemed to end on a rather toxic note, with even the clubs ‘goodbye’ message, if you can call it that, coming in at just thirteen words, with no good luck message or wish to the England International, was widely picked up and criticised on social media. 

Fellow Constancy Contributor and also Arsenal fan, Katie Vince told me, “I’m absolutely ecstatic to have Chloe Kelly back at Arsenal! She’s a top class player and I know she’ll be appreciated not only by the club, but by the fans here."

“We’ve been looking for a winger to add to our squad depth, and I think Chloe will be a game changer for us. I know multiple people that have already ordered their CK18 shirts, which speaks volumes about the reception she’ll receive from the Arsenal fans!”

Kelly’s second first game for The Gunners looks set to be the North London Derby at the Emirates in a fortnight, which is something not even the football gods could have predicted. 

The winger has thanked the City supporters and fans for “constantly showing her love” during her time with the club, which tells that at least the City fans and former team mates are still held in high regard by the 27 year old.

Three Constancy Contributors and Man City fans, Lauren White, Evie Wilkinson and Lola Casarejos Romero all had their say on the departure of Kelly. 

Evie told us, “As a City fan i never wanted Chloe to be treated this badly by the club. 

“The loan move was definitely something that needed to happen so she can find her happiness again on and off the pitch. Also, so she can get the minutes she deserves and to be in the euros squad.”

City fan, Lauren White told us where Kelly fits in at Arsenal and why game time is important for her, especially with the inbound European Championship

“Arsenal are a good team and I can see her fitting well in Renee Slegers’ plans for the rest of the season. 

“At the minute, Lilly Murphy is ahead in the squad pecking order  compared to Kelly in my eyes 

“At the end of the day she deserves the happiness that she wants and needs. She Ideally wants to be playing regularly to be in the plans of Sarina Wiegmann for this summer’s European Championship Squad.” 

Finally, Lola Casarejos Romero told us her thoughts on the move for ‘CK’ and why Arsenal may work out perfectly for her. 

“ I think it became clear that she was one of the few that didn’t make it into matchday squads, and when the rumours of her leaving began to circulate, there wasn’t much more effort to give Chloe game time.

“The general consensus among city fans wasn’t if she’d leave, but where she’d go as it’s clear that she needs game time if she wants to star for England again. 

“I think overall there was no shock with Chloe leaving, especially as we signed Kerolin recently. As much as I hate to say it I believe that she just didn’t fit into our plans or we couldn’t work around her well enough to give her the game time necessary for the Euros”.

So, overall we can tell that Arsenal fans are excited, the City faithful wish her nothing but the best and it remains to be seen just how successful Chloe Kelly’s second stint in North London will be, with all arrows hopefully pointing upwards for her in the remainder of the season and her prospects for the Summer’s European Championships.