Chloe (You’re the One I Want)
Feb. 4th, 2026 09:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eiffel_71Atleti were without a game on Sunday. Towards the end of last week I noticed that Arsenal Women were playing Corinthians Femenino in the Women’s World Club Cup Final at the Emirates, and a certain Ms Chloe Kelly, who’d returned from injury during the week, came to mind.
I booked a ticket for the match, and only after completing the purchase spotted that kick-off was at 6pm. Thankfully I was able to book Monday as holiday and found a room at the Finsbury Park Travelodge. I messaged Rachel, who said she’d be in the Tollington Arms before the game.
No problems on the journey up. Arrived in Finsbury Park just after one, got lunch in a kebab house, went to Costa for a coffee and presented myself at the Travelodge at two, only to be told that check-in began at three. Back to Costa.
Having checked in I walked down to the Tallington, which was heaving with Arsenal fans. It wasn’t long till I found Rachel who was sitting at a table with her mate. She was delighted to see me. “This is a proper Arsenal pub,” she said. That was evident - there was Gunners memorabilia everywhere. We had a jar together and Rachel asked me if I’d be going to the Lionesses’ next match, against Ukraine in Turkey early next month. Sadly no, owing to limited funds and a need to save some annual leave for this autumn. She’s going, but we agreed to meet up at the following Lionesses match in Nottingham.
We heard a samba band approaching outside. Obviously the Corinthians fans. Rachel and her friend went rushing out to join the group of fans who were drinking outside in chanting “Who are ya?” at them.
Across the pub I saw a lady holding up a 50th birthday balloon. I walked across. She had a birthday sash on as well. I said “Happy birthday” and she said thank you.
From then, as well as just the principle of ‘cheering the English team’, I wanted Arsenal to win - for Chloe, for Rachel and for the birthday girl.
Rachel and Co left the pub at five to go on a fan walk to the stadium, parading behind a large Arsenal banner. I tagged along, to have a bit more time with Rachel before we separated as we were in different sections of the ground. They all sang their Arsenal songs, including one about their Champions’ League win in May that was very popular, and various songs about individual players. I was aware that I was a gatecrasher at someone else’s party, but there was a warmth in just being among them.
We arrived at the ground. Rachel and I said our goodbyes, I wished her a great time in Turkey and we said “see you in Nottingham”.
I was in a corner section twenty rows up from the pitch. Two rows in front of me I noticed the birthday girl with her balloon. When the squads were read out, when Chloe was named among the Arsenal substitutes I blew a kiss. Behind the far goal was a section of Brazilian fans who made plenty of noise throughout.
The teams appeared to a fanfare. Both teams came close then Olivia Smith nestled the ball into the rebound into the net from a saved shot from Stina Blackstenius. I jumped to my feet along with the crowd around me and joined in the mighty cheer.
Corinthians equalised from a corner soon after. Arsenal dominated the rest of the half. Meanwhile the rain started to pelt down and didn’t stop. Thank goodness we were under the roof.
Early in the second half Lotte Wubben-Moy headed home an Emily Fox cross to put the Gunners back in front.
Chloe came on for Beth Mead with a quarter of an hour to go. She put a good shift in.
It looked like they were going to lift the trophy until the fourth minute of injury time, when after a VAR enquiry Corinthians were awarded a penalty and scored. Extra time loomed.
Corinthians started extra time lively, but after Wubben-Moy headed a corner from Chloe wide, Frida Maanum flew forward on a counter-attack and fed Caitlin Foord, who smashed low and hard past the keeper. The stadium erupted.
There was more drama during injury time when keeper Anneke Borbe lay on the pitch for ten minutes after a collision with Wubben-Moy before finally being stretchered off. Because it was suspected concussion Arsenal were allowed to bring on their substitute goalie. The dying seconds were played out and Arsenal were World Club Champions.
With all the delay, I joined the substantial number of fans leaving the stadium, while die-hards stayed to see the trophy presentation. I was ready for something to eat and to chill at the hotel.
I’d seen Chloe play, seen English women’s football history made and seen a women’s football fan have a milestone birthday she’d never forget.
I booked a ticket for the match, and only after completing the purchase spotted that kick-off was at 6pm. Thankfully I was able to book Monday as holiday and found a room at the Finsbury Park Travelodge. I messaged Rachel, who said she’d be in the Tollington Arms before the game.
No problems on the journey up. Arrived in Finsbury Park just after one, got lunch in a kebab house, went to Costa for a coffee and presented myself at the Travelodge at two, only to be told that check-in began at three. Back to Costa.
Having checked in I walked down to the Tallington, which was heaving with Arsenal fans. It wasn’t long till I found Rachel who was sitting at a table with her mate. She was delighted to see me. “This is a proper Arsenal pub,” she said. That was evident - there was Gunners memorabilia everywhere. We had a jar together and Rachel asked me if I’d be going to the Lionesses’ next match, against Ukraine in Turkey early next month. Sadly no, owing to limited funds and a need to save some annual leave for this autumn. She’s going, but we agreed to meet up at the following Lionesses match in Nottingham.
We heard a samba band approaching outside. Obviously the Corinthians fans. Rachel and her friend went rushing out to join the group of fans who were drinking outside in chanting “Who are ya?” at them.
Across the pub I saw a lady holding up a 50th birthday balloon. I walked across. She had a birthday sash on as well. I said “Happy birthday” and she said thank you.
From then, as well as just the principle of ‘cheering the English team’, I wanted Arsenal to win - for Chloe, for Rachel and for the birthday girl.
Rachel and Co left the pub at five to go on a fan walk to the stadium, parading behind a large Arsenal banner. I tagged along, to have a bit more time with Rachel before we separated as we were in different sections of the ground. They all sang their Arsenal songs, including one about their Champions’ League win in May that was very popular, and various songs about individual players. I was aware that I was a gatecrasher at someone else’s party, but there was a warmth in just being among them.
We arrived at the ground. Rachel and I said our goodbyes, I wished her a great time in Turkey and we said “see you in Nottingham”.
I was in a corner section twenty rows up from the pitch. Two rows in front of me I noticed the birthday girl with her balloon. When the squads were read out, when Chloe was named among the Arsenal substitutes I blew a kiss. Behind the far goal was a section of Brazilian fans who made plenty of noise throughout.
The teams appeared to a fanfare. Both teams came close then Olivia Smith nestled the ball into the rebound into the net from a saved shot from Stina Blackstenius. I jumped to my feet along with the crowd around me and joined in the mighty cheer.
Corinthians equalised from a corner soon after. Arsenal dominated the rest of the half. Meanwhile the rain started to pelt down and didn’t stop. Thank goodness we were under the roof.
Early in the second half Lotte Wubben-Moy headed home an Emily Fox cross to put the Gunners back in front.
Chloe came on for Beth Mead with a quarter of an hour to go. She put a good shift in.
It looked like they were going to lift the trophy until the fourth minute of injury time, when after a VAR enquiry Corinthians were awarded a penalty and scored. Extra time loomed.
Corinthians started extra time lively, but after Wubben-Moy headed a corner from Chloe wide, Frida Maanum flew forward on a counter-attack and fed Caitlin Foord, who smashed low and hard past the keeper. The stadium erupted.
There was more drama during injury time when keeper Anneke Borbe lay on the pitch for ten minutes after a collision with Wubben-Moy before finally being stretchered off. Because it was suspected concussion Arsenal were allowed to bring on their substitute goalie. The dying seconds were played out and Arsenal were World Club Champions.
With all the delay, I joined the substantial number of fans leaving the stadium, while die-hards stayed to see the trophy presentation. I was ready for something to eat and to chill at the hotel.
I’d seen Chloe play, seen English women’s football history made and seen a women’s football fan have a milestone birthday she’d never forget.
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Date: 2026-02-09 10:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-02-10 08:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-02-10 08:42 pm (UTC)