Arsenal legend Kelly Smith hopes Leah Williamson never leaves the Gunners.
Williamson penned a new contract with Arsenal last year and has since become one of the faces of women’s football as captain of England, playing a key role in helping the Lionesses win the European Championships on home turf.
The 25-year-old has since used her platform to create change in the women’s game, with the Arsenal defender being one of the main driving forces – alongside teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy – in the Lionesses decision to pen an open letter to the Government following their Euros success.
In that letter, the team called for all young girls to be given access to football at school and to have a minimum of two hours of PE per week.
The FA recently announced that the Government have agreed to act on that letter and Williamson has also been a key figure for Arsenal as well this season, helping Jonas Eidevall’s side win the Continental Cup with a 3-1 win over Chelsea at the start of the month.
Not many players have the same sort of composure as Williamson does on the ball and Smith believes her passing range makes her one of the best centre-backs in the world.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Smith said: “I played with Leah during the latter part of my career when she was a lot younger and you could tell she had a talent then. I think she’s really taken to that leadership role as captain of England and taken her game to a new level.
“She seems really focused. She’s so comfortable on the ball. Her passing range is exceptional. She’s probably one of the best centre halves in the world that can pick out those line breaking passes and she’s got an added dimension to her game that she can play in the midfield, too, or right-back.
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“She’s very dimensional and very calm and composed and you just watch her and she just oozes class which I really admire.
“She’s going to, hopefully, be at Arsenal for a long-time, being that she’s an Arsenal fan. We want her to sign a long-term deal and not let her leave. She’s that vital.”
Smith – who scored 49 goals in 117 appearances for England – won the league and FA Cup five times across three spells with Arsenal during a glistening career.
The legendary forward has just returned to the Gunners, this time as a coach within their women’s academy as she works towards achieving her UEFA A Licence.
“I’m super excited,” she continued.
“A lot of people know I spent most of my career at Arsenal. Arsenal was the only club I ever really wanted to play for in England because I’m a massive Arsenal fan. It was a privilege to play for the club for so many years. So, it’s great to be back in a capacity again.
“I was the academy head coach when I retired for a few seasons and then I had two children and it was a bit difficult for me with the night sessions and the weekends with my two kids. So, I took a step back.
“But now the kids are at school, I’ve got more time on my hands and I’m really grateful to Arsenal for having me back in the fold and wear the Arsenal badge and the kit, which makes me feel super special.
“I’ve had a couple of sessions with the Under-21 girls and they’re a great bunch of girls who are eager to learn and develop and they’ve really welcomed me into the fold.
“There’s quite a few good players I’ve already set my eyes on, so hopefully I can help them with advice and try and develop them as much as possible.
Smith was speaking to talkSPORT with Arsenal and club sponsor IL MAKIAGE as part of their Focus on My Game Face campaign, which aims to help inspire the next generation of women’s footballers.
As part of the campaign, Smith visited the Emirates Stadium to view the club’s first coaching clinic with the beauty brand, where the Arsenal legend helped with a coaching session for young girls aged between 16-18.
“The partnership is with IL MAKIAGE, which is a beauty brand, and they are newest sponsor to come on board with Arsenal. This relationship with Arsenal is crucial in promoting women’s football and empowering young girls,” Smith finished.
“It’s about having access and opportunities in the game. Whether you want to be a pundit, a physio, a journalist, there are so many avenues to work in football in general.
“These sessions are about me going down there and inspiring them and trying to help them stay in the sport that I love. I think a lot of people fell in love with that Lionesses team for what they did bringing that trophy home. They’ve inspired so many people and we want to just keep inspiring young girls to take up the game.”
You can hear commentary of Tottenham vs Arsenal live on talkSPORT 2 on Saturday, March 25 at 3pm.