Arsenal v Everton
The FA Women's Community Shield
Gresty Road, Crewe Alexandra
8.05pm, 02 August 2006
Live on Sky Sports

Kelly Smith is aiming to make a winning start at Gresty Road on Wednesday night to what she hopes will be yet another winning campaign for Arsenal, who took their trophy tally to a remarkable 24 in 15 seasons when they completed a League and FA Cup double last term.

The 2005-06 campaign was also an individual triumph for Smith. In her first full English season following an eight-year stint in America, she won the FA Women’s Premier League ‘Golden Boot’ award and was also voted ‘Players’ Player of the Year.’

"It’s the 20th season in the history of Arsenal Ladies and it would be lovely to mark it by doing the treble and also by going all the way in the UEFA Cup. We’ve never reached the final before and that would be a great achievement.

"But first we’ve got to make a good start to the season and the Community Shield gives us the chance to do that in a testing game against a very good Everton side. They did well in the League last season and they could be even stronger this year.

"Like us they’ve made a couple of good signings and they will be one of our biggest challengers for trophies, so it will be interesting to see how the two sides match up in this first competitive game of the season."

Arsenal’s "couple of good signings" could be of major significance, Smith’s England colleagues Katie Chapman and Karen Carney having joined the Gunners from Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City respectively.

The club though has been hit with the loss of captain Faye White through a cruciate ligament injury that could keep her out of action for practically the whole of the season.

That could have an affect on not only Arsenal’s quest for honours but also England’s hopes of reaching the 2007 Women’s World Cup finals in China. "Losing Faye is a big blow for club and country," says Smith.

"She’s a great leader, a great centre back and she’s very hard to replace. But she’s come back from a similar injury before and despite her disappointment she’s very positive about coming back from this latest blow.

" A victory tonight will be a great boost to her as she begins her rehabilitation, as well as to everyone at the club."