Arsenal face the biggest game of their season so far this Saturday when they take on Chelsea in the SSE Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium but in Kelly Smith, they have just the player for the occasion, according to teammate Fara Williams.

Entering the SSE Women’s FA Cup at the fifth-round stage, Arsenal required a penalty shootout to down Birmingham following a 1-1 draw after extra-time before once again needing spot-kicks in their quarter-final with Notts County.

Locked at 2-2 following 120 minutes of action, the Gunners prevailed 3-2 on penalties although the semi-final saw them make far more serene progress as Sunderland were brushed aside 7-0 to set up a final against Chelsea.

Smith is a veteran on the big stage having made well over 100 appearances for England, represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games and competed in World Cups.

Chelsea won the SSE Women’s FA Cup last year and also beat Arsenal in the league earlier this term but Williams believes the presence of Smith, a player made for the big occasion, could see the Gunners to glory.

“On and off the field, Kelly is a fantastic player,” said Williams. “She is the best player England has produced in many years and she is still one of the best.

“She is still, for me, capable of competing on the international stage, the world stage. She is a fantastic player and players in our dressing room look up to her.

“She is such a modest, calm influence on the team. She is certainly a player we will look for in such a big game.

“In big games, she turns up. Under pressure she performs and they are the type of players you want in big games.

“I’m sure if Kelly starts or is on the bench, she will have a big impact on the game in one way or another.”

This weekend will see Williams try to win the SSE Women’s FA Cup final for the second time in her career, having lifted the trophy as an Everton player back in 2010.

The midfielder joined Arsenal from Liverpool over the winter and admits that this competition was always a target – meaning the pressure will be intense when the Gunners run out at Wembley.

“It is massively important, mainly for the club,” added Williams. “They have had some big investment over the winter break and we have bought in some players.

“A target of ours was to get to Wembley and the FA Cup final so we’re here and hopefully we can do the job.

“The fact that SSE has sponsored the FA Cup at Wembley has been fantastic and the more sponsors we have in our game supporting us, the better it is for us.”

To buy your tickets to The SSE Women’s FA Cup Final, visit www.thefa.com