‘The young players are hungry and hopefully they can embed themselves’, says Arsenal icon Kelly Smith
FEARLESS and hungry is how Kelly Smith describes up-and-coming Gunners aces Michelle Agyemang, Freya Godfrey and Vivianne Lia.
The teenage trio are among the homegrown prospects the Arsenal trailblazer hopes will give the WSL side’s stars a run for their money.
The young England forwards, 18, 19 and 17 are considered to be among the team’s most promising talents, along with their club and country midfield pals Maddie Earl and Laila Harbert, both 17.
Smith, who coaches Arsenal’s forwards including Lioness star Alessia Russo, said: “What I like about them is that they’re not only hungry, they’re fearless.
“They’ve come into the first team environment and just gone for it.
“You can see the improvements they’ve made, the confidence that they’re gaining.
“It’s a credit to Arsenal, the academy staff and structure we have to develop these players and bring them through.”
Goalkeeper Naomi Williams, 19, and England Under-19 defender Katie Reid, are also among the crop of Arsenal players seen as having bright futures ahead of them.
Williams, who like her team-mates is a product of the club’s Hale End Academy, has been with the Gunners since the age of 13.
In June last year, the shot stopper signed her first professional contract with the club, along with Agyemang and Godfrey.
And in May she featured as a second-half substitute during Arsenal’s 1-0 friendly defeat of an A League All-Stars side in Australia.
Along with her fellow young Gunners, she played in Jonas Eidevall’s side’s 2-1 friendly defeat of Washington Spirit three days ago.
The match was the first fixture of the North London side’s first pre-season tour of the United States.
Smith, who retired in 2017 and has 117 England caps, adds: “It just goes to show you how big the (women’s) game is getting.
“Playing in front of our international fan base out in America is huge in terms of building fan engagement and support for the women’s team out there.”
Club duties aside, Agyemang, Godfrey, Earl and Lia were part of the England Under-19 team that thrashed Lithuania 10-0 in the Uefa Under-19 Championship last month.
Agyemang bagged a hat-trick with her side winning five games in the contest before falling to a 3-1 semi-final defeat to competition winners Spain.
Michelle is physical, aggressive and got a fantastic shot on her.
Kelly Smith
Smith, who retired in 2017 after a 23-year senior playing career, knows all about making a big impression as a young Arsenal and England player.
Back in 1997, in her first season at the club, she netted twice during a 3-0 to-flight defeat of Liverpool.
The result led to the team, then managed by Vic Akers, being crowned Women’s Premier League champions.
And Smith, who won 20 trophies during three separate Arsenal stints, hopes Agyemang and her pals, can continue to make their mark.
She said: “Hopefully these players can help us even more from the bench, get more experience and embed themselves into the team in the future.
“It’s great for the club that these players are pushing our first team players.
“I know when I was playing, I remember Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Bronze coming through with the England team.
“It made me as a senior player know that I had to up my game in training on a daily basis, because the young players are hungry for it and want to be a first team player.”
Last term Agyemang spent several weeks out of action during a Watford loan stint after sustaining a knee injury on England duty in March.
Since then she has battled her way back to fitness.
Along with her peers, the striker will be pushing more minutes during the team’s August 25th friendly against Chelsea at the Audi Stadium in Washington.
Smith added: “The fans always like to see a home-grown player do really well.
“And with Michelle, hopefully she can have a good season in terms of training.
“What I like about her strengths, is her hold-up play is really good.
“She’s physical, aggressive and got a fantastic shot on her.”
The Gunners’ pre-season clash with the Blues comes ten days before they begin their push for a Champions League group stage spot by taking on Rangers at Meadow Park.
The match will see Eidevall engage in tactical combat with Sonia Bompastor, for the first time since she began her role as Chelsea boss last month.
Next month the Gunners begin their quest to win a first WSL title since 2019, by hosting Man City at the Emirates.
Having won five top tier titles and a Champions League tournament with Arsenal, Smith is eager to see them become WSL title winners again.
The former Lioness, who scored 125 goals in 144 Arsenal appearances, adds: “The players are hungry for it because of the way we finished the season last year (in third spot).
“The league is always the bread and butter. It’s nice to win a cup (like we did with the Conti Cup), but we really want the league this year.”
Since Arsenal’s last title win five years ago, Chelsea have been most formidable force in the top tier, winning six of the last seven WSL titles
However Smith hopes her club’s summer signings can give them an extra edge.
New additions include ex-Barcelona forward Mariona Caldentey and Rosa Kafaji who joined last week from BK Hacken.
Smith said: “Our squad is very, very strong. I think we’ve got one of the best squads in the league.
“It’s about staying focused and beating Chelsea and Man City when we play them.
“This will be key as in the past we’ve slipped up against them.”
Arsenal’s September 22 season-opener could see ex-Gunners star Vivianne Miedema make her first WSL appearance for Man City after her July move to the club.
The 12:30pm game is one of eight top-flight fixtures the WSL side will play at the Emirates this term.
Smith adds: “All eyes will be on this game as it could potentially be Viv’s first (WSL) game in a Man City shirt.
“Hopefully she doesn’t score if she plays!”
Off the pitch, Smith has partnered with vitamin brand Bioglan to discuss how she juggles her busy life as a mother-of-two as well as being a football coach and pundit.
The retired Lioness joined England cricketer Ollie Pope, and five-time Paralympic champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds, to talk about finding balance in their day-to-day lives.
The trio teamed up for a pottery session as part of the In Bioglan Balance campaign.
Smith said: “It’s been good to talk to Ollie and Ellie about how they stayed mentally prepared and healthy for their careers.
“My schedule is busy. It’s about prioritising my sleep, good food and of course, playing football with all my family.
“It’s about being fit, healthy and balanced and in the right frame of mind.
“I want to give my all to my coaching and to my family.”
“If you’re really good about what you eat and the supplements you take, it keeps you on the right path and focussed.”