Arsenal's £1m signing Olivia Smith has proven her worth beyond expectations, scoring the decisive goal in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Manchester City that ended their 13-game winning streak. The 21-year-old Canadian, originally signed as a right-sided winger, showcased her versatility by stepping into the unfamiliar striker role and finding the net against the runaway WSL leaders.

Smith's performance came as a revelation for manager Renee Slegers, who had to find an alternative to injured Stina Blackstenius. Despite only two-and-a-half training sessions in the position, Smith's intuitive play and ability to stretch City's high defensive line proved crucial. Her goal came from a perfectly timed run onto Mariona Caldentey's pass, beating defender Rebecca Knaak before slotting past Ayaka Yamashita.

This victory marks a significant turnaround for Arsenal, who have won three of their last four matches following a winter break that manager Slegers credits for the team's renewed energy. The Gunners, currently 10 points behind City but with a game in hand, are now competing on three fronts and remain favorites to progress in both the FA Cup and Champions League.

Smith's journey from Sporting CP to Liverpool and finally Arsenal demonstrates the club's faith in her potential, with Slegers noting that the young forward is still settling into her new environment. Her ability to adapt and deliver under pressure suggests Arsenal's investment in the Canadian international may prove to be one of the shrewdest moves in recent WSL history.