Arsenal and the England women's national team have been hit with a worrying injury scare after forward Chloe Kelly was forced to leave the pitch during an international friendly.
Early Exit Stuns St Mary's
The incident occurred on Tuesday 2 December 2025 at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton. Kelly, who was handed a valuable start for the Lionesses in their final friendly of the year against Ghana, saw her night cut brutally short before the half-hour mark.
Visible distress gripped the stadium as the 27-year-old went down, clutching at her right leg. Broadcast footage showed Kelly focusing on her hamstring area, suggesting a potential muscle tweak. England physios rushed onto the pitch to assess the damage.
Wiegman Takes No Risks
It quickly became apparent that Kelly would be unable to continue. England manager Sarina Wiegman, mindful of the non-competitive nature of the fixture, opted not to risk exacerbating the problem. Demonstrating her toughness, Kelly managed to hobble from the field without assistance.
Her departure prompted a substitution, with her Arsenal teammate Beth Mead entering the fray to a warm ovation from the crowd. The moment was particularly gut-wrenching for Kelly, for whom a starting berth has become increasingly rare despite her iconic status as a Euros hero.
Arsenal's Campaign Concerns
The immediate fallout from the injury extends directly to the Women's Super League. Arsenal will now anxiously await medical assessments to determine the severity of the issue and a potential recovery timeline.
This setback comes at an inconvenient time for manager Renee Slegers and her squad. After a mixed opening to the WSL season, the Gunners have been attempting to build consistent momentum. Losing a player of Kelly's calibre and big-game experience represents a significant blow to those plans.
For Kelly, the hope will be that the injury is minor, allowing a swift return to action for both her club and country after a night that ended in premature disappointment.
