We signed the Sweden international from Hammarby in January this year, and she made her debut five days later, helping us keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw with Manchester United at Emirates Stadium. 

Smilla has since scored three goals in 29 Arsenal appearances, including a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Manchester United in September this year. 

Originally signed as a right-back, our no.31 has shown her versatility, thriving not only as a full-back but also as a midfielder and winger in her first year in north London. 

Should Smilla win the award, we'd become the first club to have a player win the award in back-to-back seasons since it was introduced in 2022, after Michelle Agyemang won the award last year. 

The 10 nominees are:

Alara – Bayern Munich

Iman Beney – Manchester City

Veerle Buurman – Chelsea

Giulia Galli – Barcelona

Azzurra Gallo – Toulouse

Smilla Holmberg – Arsenal

Maeline Mendy – Paris FC

Sydney Schertenleib – Barcelona

Felicia Schröder – Real Madrid

Clara Serrajordi – Barcelona

The Golden Girl Award recognises the brightest young footballers in Europe's top leagues, highlighting quality players under 21. 

Since launching in 2022, Jule Brand, Linda Caicedo and three-time Champions League winner Vickey Lopez have all won the award, before Agyemang added her name to the illustrious list last year. 

Smilla will be looking to become the first defender to win the Golden Girl, with the winner typically announced in early November, followed by a gala to celebrate the winner of both the Golden Girl and Golden Boy usually following in December.