Olivia Smith (Arsenal FC)

Arsenal record signing Olivia Smith put the Gunners a goal up in the first half at the Emirates against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

And on the BBC television broadcast of the match, Arsenal assistant coach Kelly Smith was asked whether she thought the Canadian international had anything in common with her in her own playing days.

“I wasn’t that fast, to be honest!” she laughed.

Kelly Smith is one of the greatest players and goalscorers England has produced. She spent most of her career with Arsenal, but also had significant spells in the USA, representing the Seton Hall Pirates during her college career, and later the New Jersey Lady Stallions, Philadelphia Charge, New Jersey Wildcats, and the Boston Breakers. With over a century of caps for England, she is the Lionesses’ second highest-ever goalscorer, behind Ellen White.

She retired in 2017 after two decades of a career in which she picked up plenty of silverware.

And since the arrival of namesake Olivia, long-standing observers of women’s football in England have drawn parallels between the two, who are now working closely together on the training ground.

“I love working with Liv,” said the coach. “She...