Olivia Smith enjoyed a dream debut for Arsenal Women, scoring a stunning goal in their 4-1 victory over London City Lionesses. Smith’s performance, along with goals from Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius, and Frida Maanum, propelled Arsenal to the top of the WSL standings. Coach Slegers praised the team’s resilience after a slow start, highlighting the impact of substitutions and the overall team performance. Smith expressed her excitement and optimism for the season ahead, promising more to come from her time at Arsenal.
Olivia Smith celebrated a sensational debut for Arsenal Women, marking her arrival in North London with a stunning performance. The young star played a pivotal role in Arsenal's 4-1 victory over London City Lionesses in their Women’s Super League opener, leaving fans and teammates alike buzzing with excitement.
The match began with London City Lionesses taking an early lead through Kosovare Asllani, silencing the home crowd at the Emirates. However, Arsenal, spurred on by the vociferous support, mounted a spirited comeback. Smith, who joined Arsenal from Liverpool for a reported £1 million, ignited the turnaround with a breathtaking long-range strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance. The goal not only leveled the score but also injected a surge of confidence into the Arsenal side.
Following Smith’s equalizer, Arsenal continued to dominate, with Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius, and Frida Maanum adding their names to the scoresheet. Each goal further cemented Arsenal's control of the game and propelled them to the top of the early WSL standings. The Gunners showcased their attacking prowess, demonstrating a fluid and dynamic style of play that overwhelmed the Lionesses' defense.
Smith’s impact extended beyond her stunning goal. Statistically, she was a force to be reckoned with, recording the joint-most shots (four) and efforts on target (two) for Arsenal. Her relentless energy and creative flair were evident throughout the match, constantly troubling the London City Lionesses' defenders. Only Beth Mead (10) had more touches in the opposition box (nine) highlighting Smith's constant threat.
Overwhelmed with joy after the game, Smith expressed her delight with her debut and optimism for the season ahead. "Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better way to start," she said. "I think with the support of my team-mates, the staff, and the fans, it made it so much sweeter. So, it was a great, great game."
The atmosphere at the Emirates clearly had a profound effect on the young midfielder. "It was definitely an unreal atmosphere and something I’ve never felt before. So, for me, to score a goal like that and to rile up the whole crowd, it was amazing," Smith added. She emphasized the creative environment within the team. "The feeling of being so creative on the pitch with other creative players – it’s an unreal feeling. And I think you can see on the pitch that it was just fun for us. We had the time of our lives, and we came up with a great result."
Looking ahead, Smith is confident that this is just the beginning. "I think this was just a glimpse. First game, many more to go. So, I’m definitely looking at going up from here." Her ambition and determination suggest that she will be a key player for Arsenal this season.
This afternoon’s @BarclaysWSL player of the match… Olivia Smith
Shot on Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/pEYUNWl0Yx
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 6, 2025
Despite Arsenal's slow start, they demonstrated their attacking strength, accumulating 1.9 expected goals (xG) from 20 shots, compared to the Lionesses’ 0.9 from five attempts. Beth Mead's introduction proved crucial, as she provided two assists, becoming the first player in WSL history to reach 50 assists.
Arsenal coach Slegers, pleased with her team's resilience, stated, “I think we struggled at the start of the game, so we had a slower start, but we always said this was going to be a hard game, the way they play, and there’s a big unknown playing against them because they’ve built a whole new team,” Slegers told BBC Sport. "At the end of the day, they get a penalty, which is a penalty, but what I’m really proud of is that we grew into the game, again find our rhythm, we’re persistent, we find out solutions, and we totally deserve the win."
Slegers added, “I think we did some really good things, but they happened later in the game. Also, the impact the players that came on made in the second half is amazing, so it’s a real team performance. I think yes, you’ve seen things we want to keep doing, but there’s things we want to improve.”
Arsenal's dominant performance and Smith's stellar debut have set a high bar for the rest of the season. The team's blend of attacking talent and resilience makes them a formidable force in the Women’s Super League, and fans will be eagerly anticipating their upcoming matches.