Arsenal Womens OneShots

Finding Home-Vic Pelova

Vic Pelova stepped out onto the pitch at Meadow Park, tugging her red and white Arsenal kit over her shoulders with a sense of disbelief. It was still surreal being here, pulling on that famous crest she'd admired from afar as a kid. The London air was thick with that unmistakable North London energy even for a training day, there was something magical in it. She hadn't been with the team long, but she already felt a sense of belonging she'd never expected.

Renée Slegers blew her whistle, snapping her back to the moment. They were running passing drills, her favorite, and she slipped into rhythm with the rest of the team, a mix of familiarity and nerves tingling through her. There was Leah Williamson, calm and confident as ever Kim Little, orchestrating the midfield with surgical precision and Beth Mead, back from injury with a fire that inspired everyone around her. But Vic couldn't let herself feel awestruck. She was here to prove herself.

"VICTORIA!" Leah's voice cut through the air, directing a pass her way. She controlled the ball smoothly, quickly assessing her options. The passing lane opened up, and with a deft flick, she threaded the ball between defenders, straight to Katie McCabe's feet.

"Nice one, Vicky P!" Katie called out, a grin spreading across her face.

Vic grinned back, her confidence building with each touch. The rhythm of Arsenal's play was demanding but precise, every movement part of a bigger picture. It was exactly what she loved about the game finding the spaces, reading the patterns, seeing the passes others didn't. Here, at Arsenal, she could already tell that she'd have the freedom to bring that side of herself out.

After training, she lingered on the pitch, eyes sweeping over the empty stands. Meadow Park wasn't exactly the Emirates, but it had a charm she was beginning to appreciate. And, of course, she couldn't ignore the Arsenal crest staring back at her from her shirt, still giving her goosebumps.

She was lost in thought when she heard a voice from behind. "Admiring the view?"

She turned to see Beth Mead, who'd stayed behind, juggling a ball casually. Beth, despite her intense focus in training, had a way of making the people around her feel at ease. Vic found herself relaxing.

"Yeah, it's... different, but in a good way," Vic admitted, looking down with a smile. "Feels like home, somehow."

Beth nodded, a knowing smile on her face. "It does, doesn't it? Arsenal has that effect on people."

They both fell into silence, the weight of the shared moment comforting. It was one thing to be a part of a team, but another to feel like you were part of a legacy, something greater than yourself. Vic knew that playing for Arsenal was a responsibility, and she felt the expectation like a heartbeat. But it was the kind of pressure she wanted.

That weekend, Vic found herself in the starting lineup for a league game. Her heart pounded as she stepped out onto the pitch, the stands filled with fans draped in red and white, singing and chanting. The whistle blew, and suddenly, it was just her and the ball, the game she loved.

The match was fast-paced, physical, but every touch of the ball reminded her why she was here. She linked up with Leah, Kim, and Beth, reading their movements, weaving into the team's play like she'd been there for years. Her confidence grew with each successful pass, each tackle, each chance created. And then, midway through the second half, she saw her opening.

Receiving the ball near the edge of the box, Vic took a quick touch forward, just enough to slip past her marker. She lifted her head, saw the gap, and struck the ball cleanly. It sailed past the keeper's outstretched fingers and hit the back of the net.

The crowd erupted, and Vic's teammates rushed to her, their faces beaming with pride. She felt the weight of their arms, their cheers, and her heart pounded with a mix of relief and exhilaration. She'd scored her first goal for Arsenal, and the realization washed over her she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Later, in the locker room, Leah clapped her on the back. "Not bad for a first goal, Pelova. You'll have to teach us all that trick."

Victoria laughed, the joy settling deep within her. "Only if you keep letting me find those spaces."

Leah grinned, nodding. "Welcome to Arsenal."

And in that moment, Vic knew she'd found her home.