Off the PitchBBC SportUnverified source· 11 Sept 2026
Cooney-Cross to play for mum at Emirates
Arsenal's Kyra Cooney-Cross returns to the Emirates for the first time since losing her mum to cancer, carrying her memory onto the pitch.
B. Cross
player
Who
Kyra Cooney-Cross
What
Playing at Emirates for first time since mother's death
When
Sunday
Where
Emirates Stadium
What happened. Arsenal midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross is set to play at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since her mother, Jess, died of cancer two months ago. She will face Crystal Palace on Sunday and has spoken about coping with her loss 'one day at a time'.
- Her mother was diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma in January and passed away in July, aged 45.
- Cooney-Cross credits her mother's sacrifices, including driving her to training, for shaping her career.
- She says game days are now 'very emotional' and she wants to play for her mum and the fans.
“I want to play and I want to play for her as well and for the fans.”
— Kyra Cooney-Cross
Cooney-Cross will step onto the Emirates pitch on Sunday, aiming to honour her mother's memory in front of the Arsenal supporters.
Read the full story at BBC Sport →
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