Arsenal legend Kelly Smith believes the Gunners can be “stronger” subsequent season and might compete to win the Women’s Super League title as soon as key gamers return from damage.
Smith returned to the membership final month to hitch Jonas Eidevall’s teaching workers as Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals and battled to complete within the high three of the WSL, regardless of being depleted by accidents over the ultimate weeks of the season.
Arsenal misplaced 4 senior gamers to ACL accidents final season in Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Laura Wienroither, in addition to captain Kim Little to a season-ending hamstring damage.
The Gunners face an necessary summer time within the switch market as Eidevall seems to usher in reinforcements to the squad, whereas the information that Brazil centre again Rafaelle Souza can be leaving the membership has given Arsenal one other space to strengthen.
But Smith believes the youthful gamers who stepped up over the ultimate weeks of the season, equivalent to midfielders Victoria Pelova and Kathrine Kuhl, will profit from the expertise and can give Arsenal further depth as they give the impression of being to compete with champions Chelsea for the title.
“Any time the season rolls around it is our ambition to win the title, compete in the Champions League, and win trophies,” Smith advised The Independent. “That’s the club that Arsenal are.
“We have to recalibrate in terms of the injuries, get them back on the pitch, and look at the transfer window. I know Jonas has been in meetings talking about the players he wants to bring in, so new signings will be coming in to strengthen the squad that we have.
“I think the injuries certainly hindered us but the players who stepped up and wore the Arsenal shirt did themselves so proud – they couldn’t have done any more.
“But those players really stepped up in a big, big moment and that will help them for next season.
“The amount of injuries we’ve sustained this season has given other players opportunities a lot of game time that they might not have had if those players were fit. So I think we are going to be stronger in that aspect moving forward.”
Smith returned to Arsenal forward of the ultimate weeks of the season
(Getty Images)
Smith, considered one of Arsenal and England’s best gamers who gained 4 league titles and 5 FA Cups with the Gunners, hopes to return to Eidevall’s teaching workers subsequent season after passing on her expertise to the group over the ultimate levels of the season.
“I was delighted when Jonas and Clare [Wheatley, head of women’s football] approached me to come in and work with the players,” Smith stated.
“I’ve been working with the attacking players, looking at their finishing and mentality, trying to help them in the final-third area. I’ve been watching the game and giving opinions from afar but being back in the environment and seeing how Jonas works, it’s been exciting.
“ I had been out of the game since 2016 in that respect but it’s been really good: the game has evolved since I was around and there’s a whole new professional element to it. I’m delighted to be back amongst it.”
Kelly Smith is a Barclays Football Amdassador
Source: www.impartial.co.uk
