By Opta Analyst | Created at 2026-08-26 07:01:52 | Updated at 2026-09-04 02:00:52
1 week ago
Opta Analyst sat down exclusively with two-time PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year Olivia Smith to analyse her fantastic first season at Arsenal through the data, and discuss her aspirations for the new season and the 2027 World Cup.
They say progress is rarely linear, but for Olivia Smith, the last few years have followed a remarkably clear upward path towards stardom.
After joining Arsenal a year ago for a then-world-record fee of £1 million from Liverpool, all eyes were on Smith to see if she could live up to her price tag. So far, she has comfortably done so.
She may have helped Arsenal to just one piece of silverware last season, but her performances in 2025-26 have landed her another PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award, only a year after she’d won it for her performances on Merseyside in 2024-25.
Only Lauren Hemp had previously won the award more than once before Smith secured her second YPOTY crown on Tuesday night. She’s also just the second player to win it playing for Arsenal, with Leah Williamson the only previous Gunner to collect the award, back in 2014-15.
Few could argue Smith’s second Young Player of the Year award was not deserved, and the statistics back up the accolade.
We sat down with the Canada international to discuss her numerous strengths, her growing confidence ahead of her second season at Arsenal and the attributes that have made her one of the most exciting young players in women’s football.
Pressure Comes With a Price Tag
Breaking the world transfer fee record is daunting for any footballer, but for a 20-year-old with only two seasons of top-flight league football under her belt, that pressure is cranked up to a whole new level.
Smith was undoubtedly on the radar of some of Europe’s best clubs, but it was Sporting CP who took the punt on her in July 2023, rewarding the teenager with her first professional contract.
With international teammates Cloé Lacasse and Marie-Yasmine Alidou having previously played in Portugal with Sporting’s rivals Benfica, Smith was following a path that several Canadian women’s internationals had taken before her.
This wasn’t an unknown player Sporting were gambling on – far from it. Although Smith had yet to play professionally, she had already broken the Canadian women’s international record by winning her first full cap at only 15 years old, while her goalscoring feats among the national team’s youth sides had also been bettered only by the legendary Christine Sinclair.
After just one season in Portugal, where she won both the league’s Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards, Liverpool came calling.
A move to the Women’s Super League gave Smith her first taste of English club football, where she finished as the club’s top league goalscorer (7) and was the youngest player in the competition to score more than three times in 2024-25.
Just two years after turning professional, and with only 38 top-flight league appearances to her name, Smith was a world-record breaker. That meant she was always going to feel the pressure in her first competitive appearance for Arsenal.
An expectant crowd of just over 38,000 piled into the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal’s league opener against potential WSL disruptors London City Lionesses, and Smith wanted to make an impact.
Kosovare Asllani’s 17th-minute penalty gave the promoted side a shock lead, only adding to the expectation on Smith and her teammates to perform. But then, just 12 minutes later, Smith took matters into her own hands.
Receiving the ball halfway into the London City half, Smith spun past one challenge before dribbling around another. Then, still nearly 30 yards from goal, she sent a rocket into the top corner. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the supporters.
“Honestly, you can’t even imagine. It felt like the world was lifted off my shoulders, just to have that first impression at the Emirates,” Smith recalled with a beaming smile on her face.
“Even my dad, who was in the stands that day, said he felt a huge wave of relief.”
That goal was exactly what Arsenal needed to remind themselves of who they were. Reigning European champions and perennial WSL title contenders, the Gunners kicked on and secured a dominant 4-1 win over their London rivals.
Great Start in North London
Smith’s first season at Arsenal was impressive on many levels. A player in whom Arsenal boss Renée Slegers clearly has faith, only Alessia Russo, Mariona Caldentey and Katie McCabe made more appearances (40) than Smith (38) across all competitions in 2025-26, while her 2,258 competitive minutes ranked eighth in the Arsenal squad.
She repaid Slegers’ faith with 14 goal involvements in all competitions, a tally that only Russo (32), Stina Blackstenius (19) and Frida Maanum (16) surpassed.
What makes that impact particularly impressive is the age and relative inexperience with which Smith has made it. She only turned 22 earlier this month.
Smith was one of just four players to be involved in as many as eight WSL goals last season under the age of 22 (five goals, three assists), while only Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson (32) created more chances than Smith (24) of those in that age group.
Overall, Smith (59) and Thompson (70) were the two most threatening attacking players in the league within that age bracket, recording more shot involvements than any other players aged 21 and under in 2025-26.
Across WSL history, only 10 players have averaged a higher goals-per-90 rate than Smith (0.39) when aged under 22 (players with 2,000+ minutes), while she’s averaged nearly a goal involvement every two games.
That average of 0.49 goal involvements per 90 ranks her 14th in WSL history when considering the same players (under 22, with 2,000+ WSL minutes).
Importantly for someone still so early in her career, Smith also has teammates at Arsenal who can offer valuable guidance on how to sustain performance levels after accumulating significant minutes at a young age.
Club captain Williamson (5,568 – fifth) and summer signing Georgia Stanway (4,561 – ninth) rank in the top 10 outfielders for WSL minutes played aged 21 and younger, while Chloe Kelly (3,252 – 31st) also ranks inside the top 50 alongside Smith herself (2,765 – 48th).
An Intelligent Ball Carrier
Much of Smith’s threat to opposition defences comes from running with the ball at her feet.
It is an area Smith was clear she excelled in from a young age, with much of her strength and balance stemming from her parents encouraging her to participate in a wide range of sports as a child.
“When I was younger that was definitely one of the things that I was really, really good at, and it’s something that I’ve continued to work at throughout my career. Over time I’ve sharpened up a little more, got a bit quicker and learned a couple of different moves.”
Smith consistently did taekwondo and is adamant the martial art helped her become the player she is today.
“It helped me so much. It’s quite underestimated the things that it can do for you. I’d say, for example, my shot power was definitely helped in terms of technique, how I strike the ball, especially in my hip movement. It helped with the flexibility, but also discipline, giving me a tough mentality – I learned that it’s all in the mind.
“I’ve also done gymnastics, I’ve done basketball and all these other sports that have just helped with my agility, and track & field as well to help with speed and mechanics. It’s all contributed to the player I am now.”
Those skills, developed across several sports as a youngster, have helped Smith become a player who can sometimes glide effortlessly past opposition defences but can also bulldoze through them with sheer power.
Ball carrying, defined as when a player runs with the ball for five metres or more, is a useful metric for looking at players who are strong at progressing the ball for their team when dribbling.
No player recorded as many carries into the opposition’s penalty area in last season’s WSL as Smith (41), while she was one of only five players in the competition to reach double figures for both shots (12) and chances created (10) following carries.
The Canadian also featured in the top 10 players for take-ons in the opposition’s half per 90 (2.9) in the WSL last season. Displaying both power and precision with her running, Smith constantly engaged in one-v-one battles in dangerous areas of the pitch.
Her ability to strike fear into defenders when running with the ball also helped Smith average the third-most fouls won per 90 minutes (2.2) among players to have played at least 800 minutes. She topped the ranking for fouls won in the final third, at 0.9 per 90.
What’s particularly impressive for a player as young as Smith is her decision-making when carrying the ball in attacking areas. But credit is also due to her coach for giving her the freedom to take players on.
Asked how much Slegers encourages her to run at opponents, Smith was clear about the impact her time at Arsenal has had on her.
“It’s what’s so great about this club. Renée [Slegers] instils so much confidence in me that she encourages me to go one-v-one, get into the box, find the cross,” Smith said. “She puts a lot of confidence in me to do what I do best and get into the box and make those decisions.”
It’s not just Slegers, either. Her more experienced teammates have offered advice and pushed her to new levels on the pitch.
“I think that even just over last season, getting to play with Less [Alessia Russo], Maria [Caldentey], has helped improve my game so much, and knowing them as people and what they want on the pitch makes it so much easier to impress during games.”
Smith added: “I’ve been learning so much, and it’s only helping me so much more as a player getting to play with them. Not even just tactically, but helping me grow as a person as well – I think that’s also really important and that gets overshadowed sometimes.”
Unlocking Her Creative Side
It goes without saying that moving from a bottom-half team to the reigning European champions contending for the WSL title was always going to mean Smith was used differently at Arsenal compared to her time at Liverpool.
It took time for her to adapt to the different expectations placed upon her, on and off the ball, at her new club.
“Initially it was a bit difficult,” she recalled. “I was so used to just getting the ball in space and running straight to goal and engaging in one-v-ones or two-v-ones, using my speed when they [the opposition] weren’t ready.
“Now, playing for a team like Arsenal, we keep a lot of possession and teams are often set in a low block, and obviously that makes it a bit tougher because they’re a lot more structured and ready for maybe a one-v-one where teammates are ready to come and double down.
“It’s definitely been a big learning curve this season on timings and reading the play.”
Smith was the focal point of Liverpool’s attacks. If Liverpool had a shot in 2024-25, there was a high chance Smith was the player attempting it.
Even when carrying the ball, the reliance was on Smith to make something happen at Liverpool. Twenty of her 22 shot involvements following a carry at the Reds came with her taking the shot (90.1%), compared to a near-even split between shots (12) and chances created (10) after carries in the WSL since moving to Arsenal.
The move to Arsenal has not reduced her overall shot output significantly, though, falling only from 2.9 shots per 90 at Liverpool to 2.7 for the Gunners.
A bigger change has come in her positioning and shot selection. Her improved positioning at Arsenal has helped her non-penalty xG per 90 increase from 0.21 at Liverpool to 0.29 in league competition with her new side.
Averaging over seven more touches per 90 at Arsenal than with her former club in the WSL (49.1 vs 41.9), Smith has been able to receive the ball in much wider areas of the pitch. That’s helped her open up her more creative side with the Gunners.
At Liverpool, she was often deployed as the central striker, playing 62% of her league minutes there. That role required her to carry the ball through the middle of the pitch and attempt shots. But under Slegers, she’s got on the ball out wide, engaged opponents in duels and become a lot more of a creator than previously seen at Liverpool.
Smith is happy with the variety of positions she’s been asked to play since moving to Arsenal, though.
“I think it’s very dependent on the opponent. Renée [Slegers] has used me on the left, right and central. If I’m on the left, then I love to cut in, shoot or combine, whereas if I’m on the right, then I love to take the ball down the line for a one-v-one or cross, but I can also cut in on my left. When I’m in the 9, I can use my speed to run in behind defenders.
“Honestly, I’m just grateful to be on the pitch, and I use every minute I can to make the best out of it and make whatever impact I can.”
Of course, it helps to have so many quality attacking teammates at Arsenal, but Smith also doubled her per-90 average for open-play chances created with the Gunners in 2025-26.
Her average of 1.8 open-play chances created per 90 was double the 0.9 she recorded at Liverpool in 2024-25. Her expected assists saw an even bigger increase, more than quadrupling from 0.05 per 90 on Merseyside to 0.23 per 90 in 2025-26.
The two players Smith created the most chances for in the WSL last season were Russo (11 in 1,108 mins on the pitch together), Maanum (four in 718 mins) and Blackstenius (four in 301 mins).
Speaking specifically about her partnerships with the two out-and-out forwards, Russo and Blackstenius, Smith suggested her improved creative numbers were as much down to the quality of the pair in the box as her own creative ability.
“Both are such smart players. They both have different strengths, so I know Stina [Blackstenius] is going to show up at the near post, so I can just play that ball there, or I know Less [Russo] is able to compete for the header just behind the defender, so I can dink it. So, it’s just, again, knowing who you’re playing with, but they are definitely quite easy to play with because I know where they’ll be.”
Reaching the Next Level in 2027
When she completed her move to Arsenal, Smith made it clear she was joining the north London club to win titles.
There will be renewed hope they can do just that in 2026-27 after narrowly missing out on the WSL title and agonisingly losing in the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League to Lyon after winning the competition a season earlier.
But the Gunners did lift the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup trophy in February, with Smith playing a key part in their success.
Can 2026-27 be different for Arsenal? She thinks so.
“We’ve had a whole pre-season together and it’s looking really exciting and dangerous for other teams. We have tons of ambition this season, and we want to win whatever silverware we can…we want it all this year.”
Smith, and Arsenal, will hope to hit the ground running in the new WSL season, with fixtures against Brighton (A) and Crystal Palace (H).
That’s followed by a trio of games set to test their mettle, as Matchdays 3-5 are as tough as they come – a home clash with Manchester United is followed by trips to Chelsea and Manchester City. Overall, the Gunners have the hardest five-game opening to the WSL season of any side, according to the Opta Power Rankings.
As well as hope of domestic success, all eyes will be on the FIFA Women’s World Cup next summer.
But Smith will need to help Canada get there first.
Canada are expected to overcome Panama in the Concacaf qualifiers at the quarter-final stage in November. Progression would secure their place at the World Cup as one of the four semi-finalists in the region’s qualification process.
Smith is confident Canada can achieve their next goal of securing a World Cup spot later this year, but she also believes they can surprise a few teams at the tournament itself.
“It’s looking really exciting, and I’m sure we’ll be there next summer,” she insisted. “I think for Canada, I like to consider us quite unpredictable. We’re exciting to watch and you never really know what we’re going to bring to the table.”
Qualification would ensure a ninth participation at the tournament for Canada’s women’s side, but they’ve never reached the final despite consistently being ranked among the top 10 international sides in the FIFA Rankings.
That’s something Smith thinks current Canada coach Casey Stoney can change.
Stoney, a bona fide legend of English women’s football whose playing career spanned almost two decades and produced 130 caps for the national team, ranks sixth in the all-time England appearance charts across both men and women.
She was inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame back in April, thanks to her profound impact on the women’s game in England.
After spells in club football at Chelsea and NWSL side San Diego Wave, Stoney took her first international management job in January 2025 following Bev Priestman’s sacking in November the year before.
When asked about her hopes for the final four months of the year with Canada and why she believed they were in a good position to qualify, Smith was keen to point out how much she felt it was down to the impact Stoney was having on the squad.
“We have a really good squad going in [to the qualifiers] but also having Casey as a head coach is super exciting for us, especially for me.
“I think she’s just an amazing coach and she has such a great philosophy for the national team.”
The 44-year-old coach is someone who’s been there and done it as a player, winning various club titles and progressing deep into international tournaments. She’s yet another experienced figure in a perfect position to guide Smith on her footballing journey – one that shows no signs of slowing down in the years ahead.
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