Published: 9 August, 2012
by CATHERINE ETOE

THEY may have crashed out of the Olympics without a medal but Arsenal Ladies star Kelly Smith (pictured) hopes Team GB’s
performances will have inspired more women and girls to take up football.

Smith, 33, picked up a knock in the historic win over Brazil at Wembley and had to watch from the sidelines as GB fell at the quarter-finals on Friday.

Afterwards the Arsenal player could hardly hide her disappointment at the 2-0 defeat but said she was now turning her attention to the Gunners’ Women’s Super League campaign.

“We fell short,” she said. “Ultimately, we wanted to medal and we’re all hurting. But once we come down off this we’ll reflect and think what a great ride we had.

“I hope we inspired a lot of people along the way. It’s back to the WSL now, we’ve got to play Everton away and regroup.”
Arsenal Ladies travel to Everton on August 19, kick-off is at 2pm.