VIDEO: Record-breaking new signing Olivia Smith scores outrageous long-range goal on Arsenal debut

Despite Arsenal’s pedigree as champions of Europe, it was the WSL newcomers who stunned the crowd first. In the 17th minute, Katie Reid clipped Kosovare Asllani inside the box. The experienced Swede dusted herself off and coolly slotted her penalty low past Daphne van Domselaar to hand the Lionesses their first-ever top-flight goal.

For a moment, it looked like Arsenal’s season opener might turn sour. Enter Smith. Picking up possession outside the box, the teenager skipped past Maria Perez before unleashing a scintillating curling effort that bent away from the goalkeeper and nestled perfectly into the bottom corner. And the Emirates erupted.

Speaking post-match to The BBC, Smith could hardly contain her delight: “That’s the kind of goal I want to score. Whenever I see a gap, I’m going for it. To do it here, on my debut, was special.”

After 61 minutes, Smith’s unforgettable debut came to an end. As the teenager jogged off, the entire stadium rose to applaud her. A standing ovation for Arsenal's first £1m player, who had already justified every penny with one swing of her boot. Arsenal now turn their focus to West Ham away on September 12, with Smith expected to play an increasingly central role in the Gunners’ quest to win the WSL crown.