England legend set for Arsenal return as "dream" new role confirmed

21 September 2023 , 11:41

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Kelly Smith has returned to Arsenal as an assistant coach

Arsenal legend Kelly Smith has returned to the club as women's first-team assistant coach.

Smith, who was capped more than 100 times for England, spent time coaching with Arsenal during the second half of last season and will resume her work with the club's attacking players. The 44-year-old enjoyed three separate spells with the Gunners as a player, scoring 130 goals in 156 games.

Smith won five league titles, five FA Cups and the UEFA Women's Cup with Arsenal, and is widely regarded as one of the most gifted players in Lionesses ' history. "I grew up an Arsenal fan and was fortunate enough to play for the club for a number of years, so I'm delighted to be back in this capacity," Smith said on her return to north London.

"It's a dream come true for me to be back in this environment. I'm really excited to be working with the attacking players in the squad and I want to draw on my experience both at Arsenal and across the game to contribute to us achieving our goals together."

Discussing Smith's return, Clare Wheatley, Arsenal's head of women's football, said: "There are few people who understand what it means to represent Arsenal Women like Kelly Smith, so we are delighted to confirm that she has joined us as assistant coach.

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"She will bring a breadth of experience at the highest level of the women's game and we believe our players will benefit greatly from her input on the training ground, with Kelly focusing specifically on our attacking group."

Arsenal will return to Women's Super League (WSL) action on Sunday, October 1, when they'll take on Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

Beth Lindop