Olivia Smith insists Arsenal are ‘cohesive and together’ | OneFootball

Arsenal forward Olivia Smith has dismissed reports that there has been unrest among the squad.

A report from The Athletic claimed that the dressing room has been “splintered” with some players “wielding significant influence” at the club.

Renee Slegers’ side have struggled both in the Women’s Super League and the Champions League so far this season. They went into the game against Liverpool, which they won 2-1, eight points off the top of the WSL and are outside the top eight places in the Champions League so far.

Arsenal’s record signing Smith joined the club from Liverpool this summer and was asked about the reports of disharmony behind the scenes: “For me, I think if you look at us on the pitch, we’re cohesive. We’re together,” she told Hayters.com. 

“I don’t think you should really believe everything that you read because our club is just so together and we’re a family.

“I think we’re just driving really high standards at Arsenal and it’s so competitive. We’re all fighting for a starting spot.”

The Canadian scored the opening goal as they beat Liverpool 2-1 at the Emirates. She was asked about how it felt to score against her former side.

“I was really excited, but I have so much respect for them,” she said. “They did so much for me over the time that I was there. It was a great moment for me.”

Arsenal got the better of Liverpool thanks to a late goal from Stina Blackstenius after missing numerous big chances to win the game earlier, and Smith says her side have to improve.

“I think the biggest thing was going to the second half,” she said. “We knew the first half wasn’t good enough. We needed to put our chances away. That’s something that we’re going to work on moving forward as well.

“I think it’s positive that we’re getting in the right positions but t’s just a matter of putting the ball in the back of the net.”