Smilla: “I’ve always dreamed to play for Arsenal” | Interview | News

Making her first appearance for Arsenal will be a dream come true for Smilla Holmberg, who signed for us on Monday.

The young Swedish defender is making her first move abroad, having joined Hammarby IF in 2022 after leaving Alvsjo.

Speaking to us at the Sobha Realty training center during his first interview with the club, Smilla summed up his emotions: “Amazing and very special. Arsenal are a huge club with high standards and it’s unreal to be honest.

“I think everyone, especially me, grew up watching Arsenal play. It’s very special and I’m so proud to be here and I can’t wait to get started.

“I think it’s just something special with Arsenal; the fans, the environment to develop here as a player. I think it’s a familiar place to live and it’s something special. It’s hard to express in words but Arsenal is something really special.

“I felt like this year I had taken big steps in my career. I felt like it was the time for me to try something different and get out of my comfort zone. When I had my first conversation with Arsenal, I felt that belief and ambitions are things we can build together. I want to see how far I can go and I think Arsenal is the best place to be. My dream has always been to play at Arsenal, so it’s fantastic.

“Of course it’s a difference and the first time I’m leaving my country to move abroad. It will be special but also a lot of fun and I think it’s an opportunity for me to grow both as a person but also as a football player. I’m excited to come here every day and be better in everything.”

Fans may have caught a glimpse of Smilla at the Euros with Sweden, where she became their team’s youngest player at the age of 18. But, for those who have never seen Smilla play, we asked him to describe his style of play.

“I think I’m a player who likes to play with a lot of intensity and courage,” she explained. “I like to participate in the game higher up the pitch and create chances. I like one-on-one situations, both offensively and defensively, so a balance between the offensive part and the defensive part. I like to play with a lot of speed and I like one-on-one duels.

“I’ve worked a lot on goals and assists, especially this year. A lot of work on timing, positioning and different types of processes and one-on-one situations. It’s part of the modern full-back now, especially in teams where you like to dominate the game. I’m still working on it, but I think it’s important to have the balance between the defensive part and the offensive part.”

So, what does Smilla think will be the main differences between Swedish football and the Barclays Women’s Super League?

“The WSL is extremely fast and physical, I think you have quality players in every team,” she said. “If you don’t make quick decisions, you get punished very quickly. That’s something that motivates me to always be focused and always be at my best (level).

“I felt that at the Euros this summer, you had to be at the top (of your game) every day to perform.”

A few familiar faces will help Smilla settle into her new surroundings, as Kyra Cooney-Cross played alongside her at Hammarby and Stina Blackstenius and Rosa Kafaji were part of the same national team.

“Kyra is a great player, and it’s very nice to play with her and nice to see her grow at Arsenal, it will be fun to play with her again,” she said. “I think Stina has always been a role model and someone I looked up to as a kid, watching her play for both Arsenal and the Swedish national team. So it’s fun to play with Rosa, Stina and Kyra again.”

In 2025, Smilla’s exciting performances saw her nominated for the Golden Girl Award, and she wants to continue to thrive under the pressure brought on by rising expectations.

“Expectations and pressure are part of football and something that motivates me a lot. So I try to see it as something that motivates me more than pressure. It also shows that the work I’ve been doing is going in the right direction. It’s something I love about football so I enjoy it.

“It was something very special to get my first Swedish cap and compete with the best players in Europe. I felt it both during the first camp but also during the Euros this summer. You have to be at the highest level, and I think that’s where I want to be.”

Of course, one of the most exciting things for any new arrival is the idea of ​​playing in front of tens of thousands of fans at the Emirates Stadium, and it’s no different for Smilla.

“I can’t wait to be honest, it’s unreal,” she said. “I was at a match a few weeks ago and it was something very special, and I think you can only experience that at Arsenal. I’m not really used to this kind of crowd even though Hammarby have big fans. It will be something very special.

“I think Arsenal is the right place to be if I want to develop and the environment here is ideal for players to develop. Both individually, to grow as a person and as a player, and also to win titles with Arsenal. I think that’s every footballer’s dream, to win titles, especially here at Arsenal for me.”