Olivia Smith marked her Arsenal debut with a stunning goal, justifying her £1 million price tag and sparking Arsenal’s comeback victory against London City Lionesses. Her performance showcased her dynamic skills and determination, hinting at a bright future with the Gunners and raising hopes for a WSL title challenge.
Olivia Smith, the Women's Super League's first £1 million player, lived up to her hefty price tag with a sensational debut for Arsenal. In their WSL opener against London City Lionesses, Smith's stunning strike ignited a comeback, demonstrating why the Gunners invested so heavily in the young Canadian international.
Trailing 1-0 to the newly promoted Lionesses, Smith unleashed a rocket from distance that left goalkeeper Elene Lete with no chance, finding the top corner of the net. The goal silenced any doubters questioning the pressure of her high-profile move from Liverpool and sparked Arsenal's resurgence at the Emirates Stadium.
Although her reign as the world's most expensive female footballer lasted only 35 days—Orlando Pride later acquiring Lizbeth Ovalle for £1.1 million—the spotlight remained firmly on Smith. Questions lingered whether she could justify the substantial fee after just one season with Liverpool.
Smith, however, remained composed throughout the pre-season, dismissing concerns with a simple statement: "The price tag's a price tag." Her 29th-minute equalizer against London City Lionesses served as an emphatic response, underscoring her ability to thrive under pressure.
"That's the kind of goals I want to score," Smith told BBC Sport following Arsenal's 4-1 victory. "Any time I see an inch of space, I want to go for goal. It was a very special moment for me."
In just over an hour on the pitch, Smith showcased her dynamic skillset, registering four shots, nine touches inside the opposition box, and four attempted dribbles—leading all players in these categories. Her performance hinted at the potential for even greater contributions as the season progresses.
Former England and Arsenal midfielder Fara Williams lauded Smith's immediate impact on BBC One, noting, "Smith has only got one thing on her mind when the ball comes to her feet—create half a yard, fire a shot on goal, and force the goalkeeper into a save. She did exactly that with the goal. It was a phenomenal goal, and she completely lived up to that £1m price tag."
Rachel Brown-Finnis, former England and Arsenal goalkeeper, added to the praise: "Eyes, microscope, everything on her. But what a debut! What an absolute Canadian cannonball of a shot, a wonder strike, and a contender for the goal of the season already."
Smith's journey to Arsenal began with early promise. She made her senior international debut for Canada at just 15 years old, in 2019, and quickly established herself as a player to watch. In 2022, she joined North Toronto Nitros in League 1 Ontario, where she won the golden boot in her debut campaign, scoring 18 goals in 11 games.
In 2023, she turned professional, signing for Sporting after fielding offers from Chelsea and Paris St-Germain. During her first season in Europe, she notched 13 goals and nine assists, helping Sporting finish second in Portugal. Her performance led to a club-record move to Liverpool for just over £200,000.
Before her big-money move to Arsenal, Smith scored seven goals in 20 games for Liverpool in her debut WSL season. Her consistent performances caught the eye, making her one of the most sought-after talents in the league.
"She played with such confidence last season with Liverpool under Matt Beard. Their player of the year last season," Brown-Finnis noted. "Liverpool would have loved to keep her, but with that price tag and when Arsenal come calling, it's too difficult."
Arsenal's match against London City Lionesses wasn't without its challenges. The newcomers took an early lead through a penalty from captain Kosovare Asllani, testing the Gunners' resolve. Smith's exceptional equalizer swung the momentum, electrifying the crowd of over 38,000 fans.
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers expressed her satisfaction with Smith's impact. "It's very special," Slegers said about Smith's strike. "It was a fantastic individual action, and a lot of players had good actions, but of course, people come to the stands to watch good goals. We're very happy to have Olivia with us. It was a fantastic goal."
Smith added, "Just before the game, [Slegers] told me to be me and just to enjoy it. They brought me here for a reason, and that's what I did today."
Arsenal last won the WSL title in 2019. An unbeaten Chelsea clinched the title for the sixth consecutive time last season. The Gunners, their closest rivals, finished 12 points behind. Securing trophies remains the priority.
"If you are Arsenal, you want to compete for all trophies," Slegers told BBC Sport. "The game [against London City] is what's on my mind right now. But if you look bigger, if you play and work for Arsenal, you want to go for trophies."
Slegers hopes Smith's arrival will be the key to unlocking the team's full potential. "We have such a good squad," the Arsenal manager said. "We have so many talented players who all bring their own qualities to the team, and that together consistently brings a really strong Arsenal on the pitch every single game. What Olivia brings is something new to what we did last year, so she adds a new layer to our game."
Smith's hunger and drive could provide Arsenal with the spark needed to end their WSL title drought. "I'm hungry, I'm driven, I want to learn, I want to grow, and I want to win things, ultimately," Smith said upon joining the Gunners.