Women's Super League: Record signing Olivia Smith shines as Arsenal win opener against London City Lionesses - 'They brought me here for a reason'

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Arsenal began their quest for a 16th top-flight crown with an emphatic 4-1 comeback win over Women's Super League newcomers London City Lionesses, and it was record-signing Olivia Smith who helped her new team to three points. After falling behind, Smith unleashed a rocket of a strike to fuel The Gunners' fightback, before they sailed to victory on a comfortable afternoon.

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The first £1 million player in women's football, Olivia Smith scored a stunning long-range goal on her competitive debut for Arsenal as they began their Women's Super League (WSL) campaign in style.

Smith, along with Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum, all got themselves on the scoresheet as Arsenal sealed a thumping 4-1 victory after falling behind to newly-promoted London City Lionesses.

And it was record-signing Smith who stole the headlines for her impressive start in Arsenal colours, following her signing from Liverpool during the summer.

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Smith spoke of her delight before picking up her Player of the Match award, while she reflected on her blistering strike to spark the Arsenal comeback.

"Honestly, that comes through me; those are the kind of goals I want to score," she said.

"Any time I see an inch of space, I want to go for goal. It was a very special moment for me.

"Before the game, she [Arsenal manager Renee Slegers] said just to be me and enjoy it. They brought me here for a reason and I think I did that today."

On whether the price Arsenal paid put more pressure on her to wow the fans, Smith added: "Honestly, not at all.

"The fans were amazing, they just bring in amazing support and just make me want to do what I do even better."

Despite the fantastic start to the season for Arsenal, they suffered a scare in the first half when London City took a shock lead from the penalty spot on 16 minutes after 18-year-old defender Katie Reid had lunged into a challenge on Kosovare Asllani.

Skipper Asllani stepped up and tucked her effort past Daphne van Domselaar to send shockwaves around Emirates Stadium as she made history for the club with London City Lionesses' first WSL goal.

But following a period of dominance, Arsenal burst the visitors' bubble and dream start as they managed to turn the tie around before the teams headed in for the break.

Smith announced herself in red and white as she fired home a blistering effort into the top corner, nearly 30 yards from goal.

Heroic England duo Alessia Russo and Kelly combined to put The Gunners in control on the stroke of half-time, as the former drilled a cross for the latter to tap home.

UEFA Women's Champions League final hero Blackstenius added a third with a close-range finish in the late stages, before Maanum added gloss to the scoreline with a header two minutes later.

It was a triumphant afternoon's work for Renee Slegers' side, who collected three points as they kick-started their challenge for the WSL title in style.

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