Arsenal's "explosive" star may fire them to back-to-back Champions Leagues after Lyon win

Arsenal move one step closer to back-to-back Champions League Finals. On Sunday, the holders beat OL Lyonnes 2-1 in their semi-final first leg, meaning they will travel to France next weekend boasting a narrow advantage. If they are able to retain their title, Olivia Smith is likely to be key.

At the weekend, it was les Fenottes who struck first in North London; Jule Brand cutting inside, dancing past Kim Little and lashing into the corner. The home side then equalised on the hour mark when Mariona Caldentey's low cross somehow made its way past Lyon goalkeeper Claudia Endler.

Then, seven minutes from time, the Gunners took advantage of lackadaisical Lyon defending. Lindsey Heaps' over hit back past was intercepted by Smith, who rounded the goalkeeper and scored. This was a massive moment for the 21 year old, so can Renée Slegers' side finish the job at Parc Olympique Lyonnais next Saturday?

Likely awaiting Arsenal or Lyon at the Ullevål in Oslo on 23 May will be Barcelona Femení. The Spanish champions are very much on track to reach a sixth successive Champions League Final, despite only managing a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in their own first leg in Bavaria. There could be a repeat of last year's final, which Arsenal won 1-0 against all odds in Lisbon; Stina Blackstenius was the only scorer at Estádio José Alvalade.

If Slegers' side are going to go back-to-back, they'll be hoping for more goals from Smith. Last July, the Canadian international joined Arsenal from Liverpool for £1 million, at the time becoming the most expensive women's player of all-time, and the first million pound player in Britain.

Most expensive women players of all-time

September 2025: Grace Geyoro. Paris Saint-Germain to London City Lionesses; £1.4 million.

August 2025: Lizbeth Ovalle. Tigres UANL to Orlando Pride; £1.1 million.

September 2025: Alyssa Thompson. Angel City FC to Chelsea; £1 million + bonuses.

July 2025: Olivia Smith. Liverpool to Arsenal; £1 million.

January 2025: Naomi Girma. San Diego Wave to Chelsea; £890,000.

January 2025: Keira Walsh. Barça Femení to Chelsea; £736,000.

February 2025: Tarciane. Houston Dash to OL Lyonnes; £700,000.

February 2024: Racheal Kundananji. Madrid CFF to Bay FC; £625,000.

March 2024: Barbra Banda. Shànghǎi Shengli to Orlando Pride. £582,000.

September 2025: Lucía Corrales. Barça Femení to London City Lionesses. £433,000.

Not so long ago, Racheal Kundananji's move to Bay FC broke the world transfer record, but that fee has been surpassed seven times in 2025 alone, either by NWSL or WSL clubs. So, why did Arsenal decide to pay such a high fee to secure the services of Smith?

Well, she began her European career with Sporting CP, scoring 14 goals in 28 appearances, before joining Liverpool, on target nine times during her one season on Merseyside. Just 20 years old at the time, Arsenal believe in Smith's potential, so paid a then English record fee to recruit her.

To date, has she lived up to expectations? Well, the Canadian scored an absolute rocket less than half an hour into her debut against London City Lionesses at the Emirates. Sunday's winner against Lyon was Smith's tenth in Arsenal colours, on target five times in the WSL, three in the Champions League as well as during both the semis and final of the Women's Champions Cup, which Slegers' side won.

The manager has certainly been impressed, labelling her "such an explosive player", adding that Smith "is obviously a very good dribbler... her timing and movement is really good".

With Beth Mead, Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and others also in this squad, Smith has not been a guaranteed every game starter, but her performance at the weekend can only enhance of chances of being just that, potentially firing this team into another Champions League Final.

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