Matt Smith joins Charlton Athletic on loan

Arsenal midfielder Matt Smith has been recalled from his loan at Swindon Town and has joined Charlton Athletic on loan for the rest of the season.

Since joining Swindon Town at the start of the season, Smith has scored two goals and provided three assists in 24 appearances. He has put in a number of impressive displays for the League One side. The Arsenal academy graduate will now move from a team that was fighting relegation from England’s third division to a side that is chasing promotion to the Championship.

Smith has been at the North London club since the under-9 level and has risen up the ranks. He was a regular fixture in the Under-23 side last season and his impressive performances earned him the opportunity to train with the senior squad. He was a part of the matchday squad for six games after football restarted last season. He was in the squad for the FA Cup final which the Gunners won 2-1 against Chelsea. 

The 20-year-old is yet to make his debut for Arsenal’s first team but will look to have a positive loan spell at the Valley in order to force his way into manager Mikel Arteta’s plans for next season. He follows in the footsteps of former Arsenal players Francis Coquelin, Alex Song and Yaya Sanogo in joining the Addicks on loan.