Arsenal Ladies defender Jemma Rose has hailed retiring Gunners and England striker Kelly Smith as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Smith, 38, announced her departure from football earlier this year before revealing she is expecting her first child.

She retired from England duty in February 2015, after netting 46 times in 117 appearances for the international side, as well as playing for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.

Watford-born Smith had three spells at Arsenal, winning the FA Cup three years in a row from 2006 to 2008 with the Gunners.

She also won the Women’s Premier League on three occasions, the UEFA Women’s Cup in 2007 and the Premier League Cup in the same year, all with Arsenal.

Smith also made her mark outside of the UK, enjoying spells at Philadelphia Charge, New Jersey Wildcats, Boston Breakers and New Jersey Lady Stallions in the United States.

Gunners defender Rose, 25, says Smith was one of her idols growing up, and added she will be delighted if she emulates a fraction of Smith’s achievements in the game.

“Kelly is the ultimate legend,” said Rose. “What she’s achieved in women’s football is amazing.

“For me personally, if I achieve half of what she achieved, it will be a dream come true, it will be a goal I’d like to accomplish.

“She’s the ultimate professional, as someone I definitely looked up to growing up as a female footballer.

“And playing alongside her recently, she’s someone I still look up to now. She’s just a legend.”

Rose is part of the Arsenal side hoping to defend the SSE Women’s FA Cup crown they won last year, a record 14th time the club has won the trophy.

Rose was at Hornsey School for Girls, in North London, on Monday for the fifth-round draw of the SSE Women’s FA Cup.

Two pupils from the school drew numbered balls from the famous red velvet bag, in a draw which threw up several mouth-watering ties.

Rose’s Arsenal side entertain North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, while Liverpool host Everton in a Merseyside derby.

Birmingham City take on West Bromwich Albion in what is expected to be a fiery West Midlands clash.

Elsewhere, Notts County host Yeovil, Aston Villa travel to Sunderland, Bristol City take on Millwall Lionesses, Manchester City play Reading and Chelsea face Doncaster Rovers Belles.

On Arsenal’s match with Tottenham, Rose said: “It’s a big derby and it’s going to be a big spectacle for women’s football.

“I think it’s going to attract a big crowd – we’ve not played Tottenham for a long time, but it’s going to be a big test for both us and them.

“We don’t know too much about Tottenham, but it will be an exciting game and definitely one we are looking forward to.”

Tickets are now on sale for the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final on Saturday 13th May at Wembley Stadium connected by EE. For the second consecutive year, kids go free to the final. Adult tickets cost £15 and can be purchased here:https://ticketing.thefa.com/