Arsenal has confirmed the signing of 20-year-old forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool, making her transfer the highest ever recorded in women’s football.
The Canadian international has become the first woman to surpass the £1 million ($1.36 million) mark, breaking the previous record held by Chelsea defender Naomi Gilma, who transferred for £900,000 ($1.1 million) in January. Following her victory in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in May, Arsenal secured another key player.
In 2019, Smith made headlines by becoming the youngest senior international player for Canada, achieving this milestone at just 94 days old. After a successful stint with North Stronto Nitros, she made waves during the 2023-24 professional season for the CP Sports team by scoring 13 goals in 18 appearances.
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Last summer, Liverpool set a club record by signing Smith for just over £200,000, where she netted seven goals in 20 appearances in the Women’s Super League. This represented nearly a third of the club’s total goals that season.
Now, let’s examine the reasons behind Arsenal’s major investment in her talent.
What position does she play?
Smith predominantly plays as a right-footed winger on the right side, but is also capable of operating centrally as a striker. In the 2024-25 season, she took on a dual role, either as part of a front two in Liverpool’s 3-5-2 formation or as a winger in a 4-2-3-1 setup.
She excelled with the freedom to advance, often dropping back to retrieve the ball and maneuver around defenders.
What are her strengths?
Smith’s primary asset is her exceptional dribbling ability. Her speed combined with an instant change of direction makes her highly unpredictable. Her close ball control in compact situations and resilience during challenges create challenges for defenders.
During her time at Liverpool, the team’s approach was direct with limited touches, yet she shined, ranking highly in “Open Play Touch of Progressive Carry” metrics. Smith’s statistics indicate her prowess in both attempted dribbles and successful progressive carries.
Smith complements the Chelsea duo of Johanna Litting Canildo and Meira Ramirez, known for their ball-carrying abilities. Her average of 3.6 take-on attempts (with a 58% success rate) places her among the top performers, indicating stylistic similarities with her peers.
While primarily right-footed, Smith is proficient with both feet, taking 49 shots last season. Despite Liverpool’s struggles to create chances, she regularly relied on her speed and skill to generate scoring opportunities. Only a few players, like Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson and Ebony Salmon, surpassed Smith in shots taken from take-ons.
Her impressive foot speed and skills often enable her to draw fouls, placing her among the league leaders in this category. Smith notably caused problems for Arsenal during the FA Cup quarterfinals and other high-stakes matches against Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City last season.
What does she need to work on?
There are concerns regarding Smith’s performance in dominant possession situations. Last season, she averaged only 47.4% possession while playing for a Liverpool team that thrived on quick transitions.
In contrast, Arsenal showcased one of the highest possession rates in the WSL at 62.5%, often facing defenses that were well-organized. Smith’s quick-footed style thrives with space, so the tighter conditions she may encounter at Arsenal could affect her dribbling success rates.
How will Smith fit into Arsenal’s tactical plan?
Rene Sleggers has maintained some of Jonas Edeval’s tactical frameworks while incorporating his own strategies since taking the helm. Under his leadership, Arsenal wingers are encouraged to advance the ball, especially with Chloe Kelly’s signing boosting direct play, while also being tasked with shooting and crossing.
Defensively, players are expected to contribute to pressing and engagement in the opposition’s half. Smith’s active defensive approach and strong work rate align perfectly with this philosophy.
In fact, last season, only Arsenal’s Mariona Caldente made more tackles in the final third than Smith, who amassed 20 tackles. Among forwards, only a few players topped her in ball recoveries.
Why did Arsenal want her?
In addition to strengthening their young talent pool, Arsenal had one of the oldest rosters in the WSL last season, with an average age of 27.6 years. Many key players are nearing the end of their prime, making Smith’s arrival crucial for injecting youth into the squad. At just 20, she joins other young talents like Kyra Cooney-Cross and Rosa Kafaji, adding depth and homegrown talent as the club looks to the future.
Despite the pressure of her record-breaking transfer fee, Smith seems poised to handle the expectations, already proving her worth in the WSL.
Fan Take: This groundbreaking transfer not only showcases the growing value and talent in women’s football but also sets a new benchmark for investments in female athletes. Smith’s signing could inspire clubs to support and invest in women’s soccer, potentially leading to heightened visibility and growth for the sport.
