NIKITA PARRIS counts her admiration of Arsenal icons Julie Fleeting and Thierry Henry among the reasons for her sensational North London move.
And the England forward has high expectations for the side who return to the Women’s Champions League action next season.
Parris, 27, was speaking to journalists after Arsenal confirmed her £68,600 club-record transfer following her two-year trophy-laden spell with Lyon.
And the pacy forward, who won a Champions League crown with the French juggernauts, reckons the competitive edge of England’s top-flight is a major draw.
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Parris said: “Just watching from abroad, the games are so much tighter and so much more talent spread across the teams.
“I’m not an Arsenal fan, but growing up, but I love Julie Fleeting and Thierry Henry so I followed the team a lot.
But with the new and improved elements that were put into the women’s section, it only was right to really think about my future
“And when I spoke to Claire Wheatley (Arsenal Women’s Development manager) I thought let’s give it a go. Let’s move to North London.”
Parris, who was born in Toxteth, was the WSL’s all-time top scorer with 49 goals when departed for France from Manchester City in 2019
The striker began her senior playing career in 2011 at Everton before embarking on three silverware-winning seasons at City from 2016 to 2019
Whilst there she won a league crown and Women’s Super League and FA Cup trophies.
And she netted 15 goals in 26 top-flight appearances in France and in the Champions League.
A 2020 Women’s Champions League and the Coupe De France Feminine were among the titles Parris won during her first season at Lyon.
The forward is eager to reclaim the WSL’s top scorer crown currently held by her goal machine Gunners’ team-mate Vivianne Miedema.
And the Lionesses heroine will don Arsenal’s famous number 14 jersey, a shirt worn by club legend and lethal finisher Henry.
Parris said: “The 14 (shirt) speaks for itself because of Thierry Henry.
“Growing up he was my role model and I had the pleasure of being interviewed by him (because we’re both Puma athletes).
“Just being able to speak to him about Arsenal and about football, it’s crazy how much our similarities and thought processes align, so the 14 shirt felt right.
“The goalscoring record is always on the top of my mind.
“I’m a striker and I want to score goals and I want to make history in every team that I’m in.
“I want to leave a mark and if I can leave a mark at Arsenal and in the WSL at the same time, let’s go for it.”
Parris’s Arsenal switch comes as the club’s first opponents in their Champions League were announced
And the Borehamwood side, who appointed Jonas Eidevall as their new boss will travel to Kazakhstan to face Okzhetpes.
And the former Lyon ace is looking forward to battling for Europe’s top football prize and major domestic honours with skipper Kim Little and centre-back Leah Williamson who Parris affectionately calls a “Highbury queen”.
Parris added: “There’s a lot of quality in the Arsenal squad and a lot of experience with Kim Little, Jennifer Beatty, Leah Williamson and Vivianne Miedema.
“These are players who’ve played in big games and have a lot of experience internationally and at club level.
“I’m looking forward to learning from them also.
“I’m not the finished article, and I don’t believe I will be in the next three years.
“I just believe each and every day, I’ll progress and be better and hopefully I can help them and they can help me.”
