Chloe Kelly cemented her place in football history with iconic goals for England—the shirt-twirling extra-time winner at Euro 2022 and the decisive penalty to retain the trophy three years later. Yet despite those heroics, the 28-year-old winger has found herself increasingly on the bench for both Arsenal and the Lionesses.
Kelly managed only nine minutes off the bench in England's recent World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland. At Arsenal, she has started just nine of her appearances this season in the Women's Super League and Champions League, contributing six goals and five assists. As the Gunners prepare for a Champions League semi-final against Lyon on Sunday, BBC Sport examines why Kelly is not an automatic starter.
A Shift in Fortune
In the 2022-23 season, fresh from her Euros triumph, Kelly was a mainstay for Manchester City, starting all but one WSL game. Since then, injuries have plagued her. Over the past three years, she has come off the bench more often than she has started. Her time at City soured before she moved to Arsenal in January 2025, having started just one WSL match that season.
Initially, the move to Arsenal looked promising. She started nine of the remaining 14 games and played in the Champions League final victory over Barcelona. Then came another high: a semi-final winner and trophy-clinching penalty at Euro 2025.
But the 2025-26 campaign has been less kind. After starting and scoring on opening day, Kelly spent four months out with a knee injury. She returned to start three WSL games before the international break, scoring a hat-trick against West Ham, and started the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Chelsea. Yet a week later, she was back on the bench for the return leg.
Super-Sub or Not?
For England, Kelly has thrived as a substitute, scoring five goals off the bench since June 2022—including her knockout-stage heroics. Of her 58 caps since Euro 2022, 40 have come as a substitute, twice as many as any other player. But for Arsenal, her impact off the bench has been limited: one goal and two assists in 14 substitute appearances. Teammate Stina Blackstenius, a more frequent substitute, has scored six times in 24 substitute appearances since Kelly joined.
Indeed, Blackstenius has 15 goals as a substitute in the WSL and Champions League since 2022-23, nearly double any other player in that period. For Arsenal, Kelly is far more effective when she starts, with 87.5% of her goals coming from starting appearances. Only fellow Lionesses Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, and Mariona Caldentey have more goal involvements for Arsenal since Kelly arrived.
Fierce Competition
At Arsenal, Kelly faces fierce competition. Russo has 26 WSL and Champions League goals since Kelly joined, excelling in various roles. Mead, a trusted right-winger where Kelly likes to play, creates more chances and presses more effectively—though she is unavailable for this fixture for personal reasons. On the other flank, Canada's Olivia Smith, signed for nearly £1m last summer, has started two-thirds of games this season and is seen as a long-term asset.
Manager Renee Slegers rotates her forwards regularly, and quality depth is crucial. Kelly has started some of Arsenal's biggest Champions League games, suggesting she is not viewed purely as an impact player. Former Arsenal defender Jen Beattie noted: "No one wants to be that player who just comes on and affects the game. You want to start, but with so much talent in the squad nothing is a given. Kelly will be frustrated but has to keep pushing."
What Next?
At 28, Kelly is at a pivotal point. She could win back-to-back Champions League medals next month. If she does, her history suggests she will have played a part. But will she be content as a rotational player at Arsenal, or will she seek a guaranteed starting role to impress England boss Sarina Wiegman before the 2026 World Cup in Brazil? The next chapter in the story of England's catalyst player is waiting to be written.