Kelly Smith backs Arsenal and Chelsea to ‘push on’ in Europe and reflects on ‘goosebumps’ moment at the Emirates
KELLY SMITH is backing Arsenal to bounce back from their injury struggles and their younger stars to shine next term.
And the Gunners legend, 44, reckons this season’s WSL title and relegation battles have made it one the most enthralling.
Reading and Chelsea will go head-to-head in a game likely to decide who will be crowned WSL champions and which side drops into the Championship.
Three points for the Blues would guarantee them a fourth successive WSL crown under boss Emma Hayes.
And a Royals victory could potentially see Kelly Chambers’ side, who are bottom, win their battle to beat the drop if Leicester lose or draw with Brighton.
Smith, who is a Barclays WSL ambassador, told SunSport: “It’s been so exciting because it’s all come down to the last day.
“Whether it’s Man United or Chelsea winning, or whether it’s Leicester or Reading going down, it’s been the most competitive season.
“Kelly Chambers is a really good manager and she’s been in the league for a long time and Reading have been a mid-table team.
“But they’ve just fallen away as the season has gone on.
“It’s going to be a miracle needed for them to turn that around and beat a team that’s hungry to win a third title.”
A Reading defeat of Chelsea could also pave the way for Manchester United to lift the title for the first time should Marc Skinner’s team beat Liverpool.
Their clash at Prenton Hall is one of six fixtures taking place later on the final day of this WSL season.
Of Skinner and Man United’s efforts, Smith added: “He’s done an incredible job, particularly defensively.
“He’s made them really sound and they’ve got the best defensive record in the WSL.
“The partnership between Hayley Ladd and Katie Zelem has been exceptional in the middle and they’ve got goals coming from everyone.
“They’ve done exceptionally well beating Arsenal back-to-back this season and winning against Man City. You can see there’s belief.”
Last month saw Smith return to her old side to take up a coaching role working until the end of this term.
Her work with the Gunners has come in a season in which the team have been contending with injuries to key players including Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema.
Smith, who lifted four league titles and five FA Cups with Arsenal, said: “It’s been tough for them losing so many key players to long-term injuries.
“It’s been psychologically difficult for the squad but they’ve worked with a sport psychologist and other players have stepped up.
“Lotte Wubben-Moy has been quality at the back.
“And younger players coming in like Katherine Kuhl and Victoria Pelova have got a lot more game time.
“When you consider those we’ve lost (to injuries) like Kim Little, Lia Walti, Beth Mead, Viv Miedema – those players probably wouldn’t have got a lot of match time.
“They would have been coming off the bench to be impact players.
“They certainly will grow from this and will kick on next season.
“I expect next season to be even better for Arsenal. I see it day-in, day-out with the quality in this squad.
“They really get what Jonas (Eidevall) wants from them.”
Smith was in the dugout when the Gunners battled Wolfsburg in a Champions League second-leg semis watched by a record Emirates crowd.
And while they fell to a 3-2 loss being at the ground filled with more than 60,000 fans was an unforgettable experience.
Smith, who won the contest in 2007 with Arsenal, added: “It is goosebumps stuff really
“Walking out as a former player and now a coach and just looking around, it’s just like ‘wow, this is unreal’.
Smith expects her old club and Chelsea to push on in Europe next term following their run to the Champions League semi-finals this season.
She said: “Chelsea and Arsenal are getting closer given they have reached the semi-finals.
“Our players certainly learned a lot throughout their campaign playing at the Emirates.
“There’s going to be new players coming in for next season.
“Top players want to be playing Champions League football. If Arsenal can secure that it’s a major bonus for the club.”