Direct and exciting Smith the final piece in Arsenal's puzzle

After a big-money move from Liverpool, the Canada international will provide much-needed threat on the wing for Renee Slegers' side

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In Renee Slegers’ first defeat as Arsenal manager in January, it was clear what her side lacked against Chelsea. The Gunners had competed well against a side that would ultimately go on to romp to an unbeaten WSL title win, but lacked a final-third threat.

After Caitlin Foord was forced off with a first-half injury, Arsenal spent much of the match with a wing pairing of Beth Mead on the right and Alessia Russo on the left. Mead ranks as one of the least productive players in the WSL for successful take-ons – she is in the 16^th percentile for wingers across the world's top nine leagues - while Russo's wide deployment stuck out as a square peg in a round hole. Despite playing well between the boxes, they were unable to drive at their opponents in the final third, and failed to score for the first and, to date, only time in the WSL under Slegers.

A couple of months later, in Slegers’ next notable defeat as Arsenal boss against Liverpool, Arsenal were shown exactly the player they were missing. Struggling to break down a disciplined backline, their intricate play falling short on a dry, bobbly pitch, Arsenal needed a player to take the game by the scruff of the neck through direct dribbling and individual endeavour.

This was the match where, unfortunately for Arsenal at the time, English football stood up and took notice of Olivia Smith. She gave Katie McCabe a torrid time, with the Irishwoman resorting to cynically fouling the Canada international and being booked for her troubles. It was not a performance that Arsenal forgot, and six months later, as the 2025-26 season approaches, the two players will go from opponents to teammates.