Smilla Holmberg, who is 19 years old, made a significant career move by transferring from Hammarby to Arsenal at the start of 2026. According to SVT Sport, Holmberg described her relationship with teammate Stina Blackstenius, stating she has become like an adopted child, following Blackstenius and her boyfriend constantly. She also noted to SVT Sport that their closeness exceeded expectations, with Blackstenius providing crucial support for a Swedish teenager adjusting to life in London. Stina Blackstenius, who is 11 years older than Holmberg according to official sources, has recently been entrusted with the captaincy for Sweden, adding to her leadership role. Holmberg has received substantial help from Blackstenius as a new arrival, as confirmed by official sources, highlighting the mentorship dynamic within the team.
Holmberg's integration at Arsenal began with a brief appearance, as other sources report she started her stint by coming on in the last seven minutes against Manchester United in the league. Since then, her substitute appearances have become significantly longer, and towards the end, she has also had a few starts as a right-back, according to other sources. She has received a lot of trust from the coach at Arsenal, as noted by other sources, with Holmberg telling Fotbollskanalen that the first period has been good, she has gotten into the team, received a lot of trust from the coach, and played fun matches where the team performed well. According to Fotbollskanalen, Holmberg described the experience as above expectations, emphasizing her gratitude for the opportunities in both individual and team contexts.
Recently, Holmberg faced a setback when Arsenal was knocked out of the FA Cup over the weekend after a 0-2 loss to Brighton, as reported by other sources. After the match, she traveled to Stockholm to see her old team Hammarby play against BP, according to other sources. During the Hammarby vs. BP match, Holmberg and Bella Andersson sat in the Hammarby fan section, as other sources indicate. According to Fotbollskanalen, Holmberg described the experience as fun, noting that some fans persuaded them to join the fan section, and she found it amusing as she hadn't stood among fans before, though she declined to sing certain chants.
Holmberg's career trajectory has been rapid; a year ago, she had not played a single international match, according to major media reports. Now, she is a professional at Arsenal, a regular in the national team, and already has a championship under her belt, as major media reports confirm. The specific championship she has won remains unspecified, and it is unclear how many international matches she has played to date. Additionally, the exact date of her move from Hammarby to Arsenal has not been disclosed, and the identity of the Arsenal coach who has given her trust is not detailed in available reports. Details about a dream to play a World Cup together, mentioned in a Sportbladet podcast description, also remain unknown.