Kelly Smith hopes Emirates' first WSL north London derby can break crowd record News

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Kelly Smith hopes Emirates' first WSL north London derby can break crowd record

By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 24, 2022

Arsenal Women legend Kelly Smith exclusively talks to Sky Sports about the first Women's Super League north London derby to be held at the Emirates Stadium; Smith: 'It'll be a fantastic occasion in the women's game'; Arsenal face Spurs on Saturday; kick-off 2.15pm.

Arsenal Women legend Kelly Smith hopes Saturday’s historic north London derby at the Emirates can break the Women’s Super League record attendance held by rivals Tottenham Women.

The Emirates hosts its first WSL north London derby this weekend as league leaders Arsenal take on Champions League-chasing Spurs.

The first north London derby in WSL history was held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November 2019 and attracted a league-record attendance of 38,262 as Arsenal won 2-0.

Smith, who won five FA Cups with Arsenal, is attending Saturday's match with her family and is hoping for an Arsenal victory both on and off the pitch.

Asked whether the Gunners can set a new WSL attendance record this weekend, she exclusively told Sky Sports: "Yeah, it would be great to hold that record and would be great for the game.

"I was at that match in 2019 and part of that crowd, and just to see that amount of people there supporting the women's game was fantastic.

"It's encouraging people to get out and buy tickets, and to go and support this fantastic occasion in the women's game.

"The Arsenal players look at this match as being really tasty and they want to get one over on their rivals, and being an Arsenal fan, I hope they do that.

"It's always been like an old rivalry in the men's game, but it's kind of a new rivalry that we're trying to big up to be something special in the coming years.

"We want it to be talked about as a big north London derby. I've played a part of it a couple of times and it's a special occasion.

"For the Arsenal and Spurs players to be playing at the Emirates, an iconic stadium, this is what the game needs and deserves, playing in these big stadiums with big crowds.

"It draws a lot of attention to the games and let's hope to get as many people there as possible.

"I can't wait for it. I'm going be there with my family, cheering them on and hopefully Arsenal can do it and keep themselves in the title race."

Saturday's match will be the second consecutive game at the Emirates for Arsenal, having hosted Wolfsburg there on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Jonas Eidevall's side also beat WSL title rivals Chelsea at the Emirates in September and Smith believes their positive experience at the stadium will give them an edge over Spurs.

"I know the girls really love playing there," the 43-year-old said. "They've got a game there against Wolfsburg, so it's kind of a warm-up fixture for the game on Saturday.

"It is a big game on Saturday for both teams - playing in that iconic stadium is going to be massive for them.

"It's all about how you deal with your emotions. I think Arsenal probably got more big game experience playing there.

"They've played there a few times over the last few years so they know the changing rooms, they know the size of the pitch and the stadium, and that preps you well for when you play games like that.

Source Sky Sports

Posted March 24, 2022