Victoria Pelova admits she was nervous about how her Arsenal teammates would react when she decided to leave the club for rivals Tottenham this summer, but the Dutch midfielder says the response she received put her mind at ease.
The 27-year-old spent three seasons at Arsenal, becoming a popular figure among fans and teammates despite limited playing time, much of it disrupted by an anterior cruciate ligament injury she suffered while on international duty in June 2024. Speaking about the move, Pelova revealed the depth of support she got from her old squad.
"I was really scared to tell my old teammates that I was going here," Pelova said. "My close friends knew about it, obviously, but everyone responded so well. Everyone tells me that it reflects on the person I am. So, I'm actually really glad about that."
Pelova credited Tottenham head coach Martin Ho for making the switch feel natural, saying his clear vision for her role set him apart from previous coaches she has worked under. "The way Martin approached me, what he said about how he sees me as a player, the videos he showed me and how he wants me to be, I've actually never had a coach talking like that about me," she explained. "So, for me, it was a good decision."
The move also carried personal significance. Pelova said she consulted her mother before making the decision, describing her mother's approval as the most important factor. In early June, Pelova announced on social media that her mother had passed away, sharing a tribute captioned: "Your biggest fear was leaving me behind. My biggest fear was losing you. Rest now, Mum." She indicated she is not yet ready to discuss the loss in depth, though she acknowledged the comfort of staying close to friends and family in London rather than relocating.
Looking back on her time at Arsenal, Pelova opened up about the difficulties of dealing with her mother's illness while also struggling for consistent minutes following her ACL recovery. "There was a private situation going on, my mum was ill, and I didn't get minutes. So, it was a really tough time and people didn't know what I was going through," she said. She added that her focus now is simply on rediscovering happiness both on and off the pitch, noting that regular playing time is closely tied to her overall wellbeing and performance.
Pelova has found the anonymity of a new environment refreshing, explaining that not being defined by prior perceptions allows her to grow without preconceived expectations. She also pointed to Ho's tactical clarity and trust in her as liberating, saying it allows her to focus on other aspects of her game without worrying about her position.
Her familiarity with Tottenham's playing style, gained from facing the team as an opponent, also played a role in her decision. "Defending was so hard," she said of past matches against Spurs. She also highlighted her existing friendships with teammates Caitlin Dijkstra and Lize Kop, both of whom she has known for years, as easing her transition into the squad.
With preseason intensity in full swing, Pelova says she is eager for competitive action to begin, starting with Tottenham's opener at home against West Ham. She is already looking ahead to October 25, when Spurs face Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. "Please, stop pre-season," she said, laughing. "I just want to start. I can't wait to play against all the teams. I can't wait to play against Arsenal."
Despite Tottenham's growing ambitions, Pelova embraces being viewed as underdogs heading into the new season, insisting that status suits the team well as they aim to challenge the division's established order.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.