Chloe Kelly hails ‘special talent’ Olivia Smith after dream Arsenal debut | OneFootball

Chloe Kelly praised the instant impact of Arsenal’s club-record signing Olivia Smith as the Gunners beat newly-promoted London City Lionesses 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite going 1-0 down after 17 minutes through a Kosovare Asllani penalty, Smith’s stunning goal got Arsenal back into the game.

Kelly, Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum added to the scoresheet, ensuring the Champions League winners opened their WSL season with an emphatic victory in a match where Smith’s talent shone through.

Speaking about the 21-year-old Canadian, Kelly said: “Scoring goals like that on your debut at the Emirates is incredible at such a young age.

“There is so much special talent within our squad and I think that will help us going through the rest of the season. It’s a long season but when you have such special talent like Olivia in our squad, it’s incredible.

“There is so much more to come from her. She has so much quality, her pace, her mentality and when she puts one in the top corner like that, incredible.”

In addition to Smith signing from Liverpool in July, Kelly made her loan move from Manchester City a permanent one in the same month.

It has been a special year for the 27-year-old who, after struggling for game time at City, became a European champion for club and country in the space of a few months.

The Lioness expressed her joy at being in north London for the foreseeable future and scoring in front of an attendance of more than 38,000.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “There is no place like the Emirates and it feels so good to be here permanently now.

“The fans are incredible. We’ve got a great squad and an unbelievable manager and coach and staff. I’m excited to learn, improve and hopefully win some more silverware at this special club.

“It was special to get on the score sheet and a great ball from Alessia [Russo] to put it across the face of the goal. I’m trying to work on being in those areas in front of goal to get more goals.

“We want the league, we want the cups as well and to do even more in the Champions League again. We’re after everything and hopefully we can just focus on each game as it comes but we’re ready for all of it.”