Kelly Smith returns as assistant coach

We are delighted to confirm that Kelly Smith has joined us as assistant coach with our women’s first team.

Kelly spent time with us in a coaching capacity during the second half of the 2022/23 season and will now return as assistant coach for the upcoming campaign, working with our attacking players.

Widely regarded as one of the finest footballers ever to play the game, Kelly won five league titles and five FA Cups across three different spells with us. She was also part of the Gunners team that won the 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup (now the Champions League).

In total, Kelly scored 130 goals in 156 appearances in Arsenal colours. She also spent time playing in the USA and won over 100 caps for England, helping the team to second place at the UEFA European Championship in 2009.

“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 – it’s a dream come true for me to be back in this environment,” said Kelly.

“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.”

Head of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley 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.

"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.”