Lionesses star Chloe Kelly made her second Arsenal debut on Sunday against Tottenham – with the span between her two spells almost record-breaking.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Kelly made deadline day loan switch to ArsenalEarned second debut for the club on SundayTime between Gunners appearances nearly historicFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Kelly got a raucous reception at the Emirates Stadium when she was introduced as a substitute in the 61st minute of the north London derby, with the Gunners 4-0 up in the Women's Super League clash thanks to goals from Mariona Caldentey, Frida Maanum and Alessia Russo, plus an own goal by Clare Hunt.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Kelly came through the Arsenal academy and made 16 appearances in all competitions before joining Everton for a loan spell that would eventually become permanent. She's carved out most of her club career in the north west of England, moving to Manchester City after five years with the Toffees, but is now back in London for the time being after struggling for game time with the Cityzens, on loan at Arsenal until the end of the season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sunday's second debut was almost historic, then, as it marked 2,815 days since she last played in the WSL for Arsenal. However, that is actually only the second-longest gap between appearances for the same club in the competition. Toni Duggan, who played 79 times for England, holds that record after a gap of 2,897 days between appearances for Everton. Duggan came through at the club, left in 2013 for spells with Man City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, then returned in 2021 for the final chapter of a career she called time on in September 2024.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR KELLY?
Kelly will hope to make plenty more appearances in Arsenal colours before the season is out, having been left out of the England squad by Sarina Wiegman earlier this week due to her lack of minutes. With less than five months until the European Championships get underway in Switzerland, the winger will be desperate to get back into the Lionesses picture.
