Arsenal academy graduate Matt Smith joins Swindon Town on loan

Arsenal academy graduate Matt Smith has joined Swindon Town on a season long loan.

The 19 year old joined the Gunners as a nine year old in 2009 and rose up the ranks. He scored one goal and provided three assists in fourteen appearances for the Arsenal Under 23 team this season. 

The young midfielder signed his first professional contract with the club in February 2019. He captained the Arsenal Under 18 team to the Premier League South title in the 2018/19 season and was an ever present in the side. 

Smith’s impressive performances were spotted by the coaching staff at Arsenal and he earned the opportunity to train with the first team relatively frequently this season. He was rewarded with a place in the first team matchday squad on six occasions after the resumption of English football. The academy graduate was an unused substitute in the FA Cup final victory against Chelsea. 

Smith enjoys playing as a deep lying midfielder. He is good at controlling the tempo of a game and picking out runners in the final third. The Hale End graduate will look to make a strong impact at third division side Swindon Town and push for a place in Arsenal’s first team the following season. Head coach Mikel Arteta and academy manager Per Mertesacker are sure to keep tabs on his progress this season.