Renee Slegers on why Arsenal missed hat-trick hero Chloe Kelly so much | OneFootball

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 28: Renee Slegers, Manager of Arsenal, prepares to walk out of the tunnel prior to the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026 Semi Final match between Arsenal Women FC and ASFAR at Brentford stadium on January 28, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Chloe Kelly turned in a player-of-the-match performance as Arsenal defeated West Ham United 5-0 at the Emirates.

The Lioness scored three goals in the rout – although the hat-trick was confirmed only after the game when the WSL review panel awarded the first goal to her rather than Stina Blackstenius.

And Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers admitted afterwards that the team had missed Kelly when she was unavailable for selection through injury.

“We’ve missed Chloe when she was away with injury,” said Slegers.

“She’s back now and she’s the best version of Chloe Kelly.

“She’s in a great place, she performed really well against London City Lionesses, fulfilled her first 90 in almost a year.

“Then you see today again, she’s in a really good place, she’s performing, she’s contributing to the team.”

Renee Slegers: Sophie Harwood played her role really well

And Slegers also had praise for Sophie Harwood, who made her Gunners debut off the bench – playing in a position that was unfamiliar to her.

“Very positive; she trained in the full-back position and in midfield for us. Those are her natural positions; today, we asked her to go and step into the nine position.

“She picked that role up really well, did her role in the press, made her runs, controlled the ball when she had to and she stayed calm.

“You can get very excited for your debut, of course, playing at home in the sun at the Emirates for so many fans. She stayed calm, she enjoyed it, but played her role really well on the pitch.”

The victory was Arsenal’s ninth in a row across all competitions, and may provide momentum as they return to UEFA Women’s Champions League action this week – and face Chelsea in a two-legged quarter-final.