Chloe Kelly has refused to confirm whether she will stay at Arsenal after the end of this season following their Women’s Champions League triumph.
The 2022 Euros final goal scorer gave an emotional interview after the Gunners’ 1-0 victory over Barcelona in Lisbon on Saturday, describing how she has ‘found happiness’ at the north London club.
However, Kelly declined to say whether she would remain at Arsenal, as her loan move is drawing to a close and she will soon become a free agent when her contract with Manchester City expires this summer.
Asked if she wanted to stay, the 27-year-old Lioness replied: ‘Look, if it’s my last game for the club, I’ll forever be grateful. I know I’ve given my all to Arsenal Football Club, and Arsenal Football Club have given their all to me.
‘They gave me an opportunity to step foot on the pitch and find happiness. It’s not about football at times. No matter what happened today, the club gave me happiness.’
Kelly has enjoyed an incredible uptick in form since her acrimonious departure from City on deadline day in January, including starting in the Champions League final.
Chloe Kelly has broken her silence on her Arsenal future following the Champions League final
The Lionesses star started for the Gunners in the final, having joined on loan from Manchester City in January
She also credited Gunners boss Renee Slegers on allowing her to enjoy football after she was ready to take a break from the game
The winger also described how she wanted to repay the faith and support of boss Renee Slegers by bringing the trophy back to north London for the first time in 18 years.
Kelly said: ‘Renee Slegers – as soon as she got on the phone to me to give me the opportunity to represent this badge – I wanted to repay her. From being in such a dark place to now, it’s crazy.
‘I was ready to take a break from football completely, so I’m just grateful.’
A graduate of Arsenal’s academy, Kelly spent four years at Everton from the age of 17 before joining Manchester City in 2020. She has often spoken about how returning to the club where she grew up has brought a smile back to her face.
After the final, she said: ‘Me and Lotte (Wubben-Moy) used to get the Underground to Finsbury Park to Potters Bar. At Potters Bar, we’d get off and take a bus, get off at the M25 bridge, and walk to the training ground. Looking back, it’s been a journey.
‘To do it with these girls is so good – players that I’ve played with growing up. Leah (Williamson), when I joined Arsenal when I was 12 – it’s amazing. You see the journey that everyone is on. Arsenal have always paved the way for women’s football, and we continue to do so.
‘They (the Arsenal fans) are the best fans I’ve ever played in front of. Whether I was playing against them or for them, they’re the best.’
On Saturday Arsenal became the first team not called Barcelona or Lyon to win it for the first time since 2015.
Kelly added: ‘This (the Champions League triumph) is for the ones that allowed us to be here today.’
