‘Shirt would have come off’ – Leah Williamson jokes with Chloe Kelly after north London derby debut for Arsenal as Lionesses star vows to ‘fight’ for her place

Leah Williamson has joked that the “shirt would have come off” had Chloe Kelly found the target during her north London derby debut for Arsenal.

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• Returned to roots from Man City
• Made second bow off the bench vs Spurs
• Determined to earn regular role

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Some 2,815 days after her last appearance for the Gunners, Lionesses star Kelly is back in familiar surroundings after securing a winter window loan transfer from Manchester City. Her first outing for the Gunners since 2018 could not have come in a bigger contest.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kelly was introduced off the bench – in front of 56,784 spectators at Emirates Stadium – in the 61st minute of a clash with arch-rivals Tottenham. Arsenal would go on to win that game 5-0. The returning debutant came close to netting a memorable goal, but was denied by the woodwork.

• WHAT CHLOE KELLY & LEAH WILLIAMSON SAID

  Speaking to afterwards, Kelly said: “I thought it was going in.” Her fellow European Championship winner Williamson, who is now a club colleague, chipped in with – in a nod to Kelly’s iconic celebration in the Euro 2022 final: “And the shirt would have come off!”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Kelly, who says the reception she received when being introduced as a second-half substitute was “flipping amazing”, is determined to earn a regular role at Arsenal after growing frustrated at her lack of opportunities with City as her contract runs down.