Arsenal Women’s head coach Renée Slegers faced the media ahead of the trip to West Ham on Friday and she was full of praise for one player in particular. The Gunners started their domestic campaign last week, coming back from a goal down to thrash newly promoted London City Lionesses. Goals from Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius, Frida Maanum and Olivia Smith sealed a 4-1 comeback from behind victory in the opening day of the campaign, setting the tone for the rest of the season. Women’s football’s first ever £1 million player thoroughly impressed on her debut, receiving the Player of the Match award for her efforts.Slegers praises Smith’s impactAhead of the trip to West Ham, Renée Slegers spoke about the Canadian in glowing terms in her pre match presser. “I was already impressed before we signed her,” Slegers said. “Coming from Canada, the USA, and Portugal, and one season in the WSL and making such an impact for Liverpool.“I was really impressed with her and she adds new things to our game with the type of player she is. We are really happy with what she is bringing to us [but] she is also very young, so it is important that we support her really well.“We see so much potential and she is already contributing a lot – you saw that last Saturday.”Olivia Smith (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Arsenal ambitions remain bigger than one playerDespite her rave reviews, Slegers disagreed with the suggestion that Olivia Smith is the missing piece of the puzzle in their pursuit of the WSL title. “What we want to do is build so many layers in our game that we can bring to a game whatever is asked of us,” she continued. “We are really close to that now,” she said. “I am happy with the squad and there is competition in all positions. We are going to need everyone as there are a lot of games to play this season.”Olivia Smith became the most expensive player in the women’s game for a short period last summer. Her hefty price tag has obviously come with a degree of expectation, but fans will be happy to see her make a strong start to the new campaign. The forward is expected to make her second appearance in Arsenal colours when the Gunners take on West Ham Women later today. After winning by a three goal swing in the opening weekend, Arsenal are second on the log via only goal difference.After finishing in the top three in each of the last six seasons, Arsenal Women will be looking to win the WSL this campaign and despite her relative inexperience, Olivia Smith is poised to play a starring role.Tonight’s match at Chigwell Construction Stadium kick’s off at 7.30PM UK. You can watch the action live on Sky Sports.I’m looking forward to this one tonight. West Ham have really been through the mill and could well come out fighting!Benjamin Kenneth__________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsArsenal Women boss Renée Slegers: “Really impressed with Olivia Smith”12 September 2025, 15:00Arsenal defender Timber earns high praise from Premier League legend12 September 2025, 14:00Match Preview: Arsenal Women at West Ham, Slegers issues warning12 September 2025, 13:00The post Arsenal Women boss Renée Slegers: “Really impressed with Olivia Smith” appeared first on Just Arsenal News.