Arsenal women football club declared as at today Monday, 11th May 2026, that Victoria Pelova contract will expire after 3 years at the end of this season.
Victoria Pelova a Dutch professional footballer who plays primarily as a central or right-sided midfielder for Arsenal Women and the Netherlands national team. She is known for her technical quality, composure on the ball, intelligent passing, work rate, and versatility in midfield.
Age and Background
Victoria Pelova was born on 3 June 1999 in Delft, Netherlands. Pelova is right-footed and wears the No. 21 shirt at Arsenal. She is often praised for her ability to link play, press effectively, and contribute creatively in tight spaces. She has a notable academic side, having balanced her early football career with studies in applied mathematics.
Club Career
ADO Den Haag (2016–2019):
She made her senior debut here and quickly stood out as a goal threat from midfield, scoring 27 goals in 67 appearances. This early prolific form marked her as one of the rising talents in Dutch women’s football. 
Ajax (2019–2023):
Pelova elevated her game significantly. She made around 64 league appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 14 assists. She helped Ajax win the Eredivisie title (2022/23) and the KNVB Women’s Cup (2021/22), establishing herself as a key player in one of the Netherlands’ top clubs.
Arsenal (January 2023 – present):
Joined mid-season in January 2023 from Ajax. By May 2026, she had made approximately 88 appearances for the club, scoring 6 goals and contributing a solid number of assists across all competitions.
Key highlights at Arsenal:
• Scored her first goal (and added two assists) on her full debut in an FA Cup win over Leeds United in January 2023.
• Integral part of the squad that won the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2024/25.
• Contributed to FA Women’s League Cup victories in 2022/23 and 2023/24.
• Strong performances in her first full seasons, showing composure in big matches.
Injury setback: In June 2024, she suffered a ruptured ACL while on international duty with the Netherlands. This kept her out for roughly 8–10 months. She made a strong return in early 2025, including scoring in comeback appearances, and has featured as a rotational player since.
2025/26 season (as of mid-May 2026): Limited starts due to competition for places. She has played around 13–15 matches (roughly 5 starts), recording 0 goals and 2–3 assists in about 500–1,000 minutes. She has been used mainly as an impact substitute or in cup rotations.
Her contract expires in summer 2026. With limited playing time post-ACL recovery and Arsenal potentially strengthening midfield, there has been speculation about her future. She has openly discussed frustration with her role and the possibility of seeking a new challenge where she can play more regularly.
International Career (Netherlands)
Pelova has been a senior international since 2018 and has earned around 65–69 caps and 6 goals (figures as of recent updates).
She has represented the Oranje Leeuwinnen at:
• 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup (runners-up).
• 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• UEFA Women’s Euros (including 2025).
She is a reliable squad player valued for her versatility and professionalism at the international level.
Style of Play and Legacy
Pelova brings balance, energy, and technical reliability to midfield. She excels at progressing the ball, finding pockets of space, and contributing defensively. At 26, she is in her prime and has the potential to be a starter at a club where she gets consistent minutes.
Her career trajectory shows steady growth: from a goal-scoring talent in the Netherlands to a Champions League winner with Arsenal. Overcoming the ACL injury demonstrated her resilience, and she remains an important depth option for a title-challenging side.
