Pelova on scoring after injury: “I feel like we’re unstoppable” | OneFootball

Back from injury and back among the goals, Victoria Pelova reflects on her journey, her joy, and the belief within the squad heading into their biggest week yet.

It had been a long wait for Victoria Pelova.

Over a year since her last goal and months spent on the sidelines recovering from an ACL injury, the Dutch midfielder found the back of the net in Arsenal’s 5-1 dismantling of Leicester City.

The goal, a lovely, clean strike that capped off another relentless attacking performance by Renee Slegers’ side, might have been expected to be the highlight of Pelova’s night. Yet, as she later admitted, it wasn’t the goal itself that made the moment unforgettable.

“Unbelievable,” she said after the match. “And I must say, like, how my teammates responded was actually the best. That was better than the goal itself.”

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

“Unreal,” she said of the celebration. “I mean, you could see it with the goal. They were happier than me. Leah couldn’t put me down. I was like, ‘Put me down, I don’t know how to smile anymore!’ But no, it was unbelievable.”

Returning to fitness has been a gradual process. Pelova made her matchday return in March and has been working her way back into rhythm ever since.

This latest performance, and the composure with which she finished, signalled that she is ready to once again play a full part in Arsenal’s defining stretch of the season.

“It feels so good to be here with the girls, and like, we have important games coming up,” she said. “So, it feels good to be like part of it again.”

Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images

That timing could not be more crucial. Arsenal, now unbeaten in seven straight league matches, couldn’t be in better form ahead of Saturday’s Champions League semi-final against Lyon.

For Pelova, the mood within the team is clear.

“It’s so nice to see the girls, how they play, how we all played,” she said. “I feel like we’re unstoppable.”

The excitement is contagious. Even as a substitute, Pelova highlighted how the side’s attacking intent makes it impossible not to get drawn in. “It’s honestly so exciting,” she said. “Even if you just come in [off the bench], you can just attack. So for me, yeah, that’s good.”

As Saturday looms, thoughts are already drifting to the scale of what lies ahead.

“Me and Stina just talked about it in the dressing room before the game,” she added. “And yeah, we’re already talking about it, so we have belief and at the Emirates, it’s always unreal.”