Why is Kelly not an automatic starter for Arsenal or England?

What is Kelly’s current situation?

In 2022-23, fresh off her Euros heroics, Kelly was an integral part of Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City side and started all but one of their Women’s Super League fixtures.

Since then, it has been a different story.

Dogged by injuries, she has made more appearances off the bench in the past three years than she has started games, with her time at City unravelling before her switch to Arsenal in January 2025.

Shortly before that move, Kelly went public on a “disappointing” and “not right” , externalsituation having started just one match for City in the WSL in 2024-25.

The move to Emirates Stadium began promisingly. She started nine of Arsenal’s remaining 14 games, including the Champions League final victory over Barcelona.

Then, came the newest pivotal episode in her career, a semi-final winner against Italy at Euro 2025 and that trophy-clinching penalty in the final.

However, 2025-26 has been less kind.

Consigned to the Arsenal bench after starting – and scoring – on the opening day, Kelly then spent the best part of four months on the sidelines with a knee problem.

She did at least start the three WSL games before the international break in March, scoring a hat-trick against West Ham, and started – and scored – in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final with Chelsea.

One week later though, she was alongside the subs again for the return at Stamford Bridge.

‘I’ve accepted my future is not at this club’ – Kelly
Kelly back to ‘best version’ before Arsenal’s crucial week

Is Kelly a super-sub?

For England, yes, but not for Arsenal.

In 14 appearances off the bench for her club, she has managed just one goal and two assists.

Team-mate Stina Blackstenius, an even more perennial substitute, dwarfs Kelly’s impact as a substitute. She’s come off the bench 24 times since Kelly’s debut and scored six times.

Indeed, Blackstenius’ 15 goals as a substitute in the WSL and Champions League for Arsenal since 2022-23 is almost double the return of any other player in that period – and she scored the winner in the European final last season.

If boss Renee Slegers is looking at her bench for a match-winner, Blackstenius tops the list.

Instead, the numbers suggest Kelly is far more effective for Arsenal when she starts, with 87.5% of her goals coming when she’s begun the game on the pitch.

Only fellow Lionesses Alessia Russo and Beth Mead, plus Mariona Caldentey, have more goal involvements for Arsenal since Kelly joined.

For England, it is a different story. Here, she does have five goals as a sub since June 2022, including her heroics in knockout rounds.

Despite her injury issues, Kelly has 58 caps for England since Euro 2022 – but 40 of those have come off the bench.

It is twice as many as anyone else.

“She thrives in pressure moments,” says England’s record goalscorer Ellen White. “She is a world-class talent with unbelievable technique.

“But we have possibly the best attack in world football with Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Beth Mead, Jess Park and Chloe Kelly.

“It seems to be working pretty well at the moment.”

Who is blocking her path at Arsenal?

Like with England, competition at Arsenal is fierce.

Take Russo. She has 26 WSL and Champions League goals since Kelly arrived last season and has been deployed in various ways to outstanding effect by Slegers in 2025-26.

Then, there’s Mead. An Arsenal stalwart and, as the graphic here shows, she remains a trusted lieutenant on the right wing where Kelly likes to operate.

She creates more chances than Kelly and has a game characterised more by duels and pressing than her England colleague, although she has been ruled out of this fixture for personal reasons.

On the other flank, the Gunners splashed nearly £1m on Canada’s Olivia Smith last summer and the 21-year-old has performed well in her first season.

That type of outlay suggests Arsenal see her having a prominent role and, having started two-thirds of games this season, it is likely Smith’s influence will grow.

Equally, beyond Russo, it is fair to point out Slegers rotates her forwards regularly and having quality options is crucial for success in modern football.

Given Kelly has started some of Arsenal’s biggest Champions League games over the past two seasons, it suggests the club do not view her only as an impact player.

“No-one wants to be that player who just comes on and affects the game,” says former Arsenal and Scotland defender Jen Beattie. “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 and I’m sure she will. Everyone knows what she is capable of.”

What next for Kelly?

At 28 and in her prime, Kelly is at a key juncture in her career.

By this time next month, she could have back-to-back Champions League winner’s medals to go with her Euros titles.

If that does happen, Kelly’s back catalogue suggests she will have made her mark somehow.

But will she be content to be a rotational piece at Emirates Stadium? Or will she search out a certain starting role and a more regular opportunity to impress Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman before the World Cup in Brazil next summer?

The next chapter in the fascinating story of England’s catalyst player is waiting to be written.

Hear more from Ellen White, Jen Beattie and host Ben Haines on the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women’s Super League and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feed