Why Arsenal’s Olivia Smith didn’t feature for Canada during the international break | OneFootball

Arsenal requested that Olivia Smith stay home during the international break to help her recover from a hip injury sustained last time she played for Canada.   

Smith didn’t feature for her nation in the past week, as she stayed in London to recover from injury.

Why didn’t Olivia Smith play for Canada?

It wasn’t too much of a surprise that Olivia Smith stayed home during the international break.

Arsenal’s club-record signing got hurt for Canada during the October break, so the Gunners were keen to protect their superstar winger in the final internationals of the year.

Canada boss Casey Stoney explained that Smith wasn’t selected at her club’s request: “We wanted to select her but it was a club decision … They felt it was best for her to stay in the U.K. and return to fitness without the travel (to Japan).

“That’s the club’s decision. They work with her day to day. And hopefully if we can work with the club now, then hopefully next year she’ll be available to us,” she added.

Smith took an awkward fall against Switzerland a month ago and after receiving treatment on the field she was carted off with a hip injury.

After her knock with Canada, Smith was out of the Arsenal squad for one game before returning off the bench in a close draw against Chelsea.

The 21-year-old returned to Arsenal’s starting lineup against Real Madrid last weekend and is progressing well in her recovery.

What next for Olivia Smith?

Without Smith, Canada had no success during the break with losses to Netherlands and Japan.

Canada are now winless in four games and have scored no goals in their last 364 minutes of football.

Smith has almost returned to full health and should be able to help her national team in their first break of 2026.

The former Liverpool star faces her old team next in the WSL, as Arsenal play the Reds in a revenge game for Smith.

It would be a surprise to see Smith rested again after returning to the pitch before international duty and she could be key in a must-win game for Arsenal.