Last season Matt Smith was one of the standout performers for Arsenal U18s, with the midfielder producing some excellent displays as Ken Gillard’s side ended up being crowned champions of the southern section.
The commencement to this campaign has been rather frustrating for Smith, however, as he has yet to play due to injury.
Now officially part of the U23 squad, Smith featured prominently in pre-season and looked set to play a major part for Steve Bould’s team.
That has been put on hold, but it is anticipated that once he returns to full fitness Smith will still be able to enjoy a productive campaign.
Capable of playing short, snappy passes with regularity, Smith is also very hardworking and trained with the first-team squad in the closing stages of Arsene Wenger’s tenure.
Arsenal currently have a host of midfield options at their disposal, but there may well be opportunities later in the campaign for Smith to train with the squad, and next season he will be aiming to push on even further and perhaps earn a callup for a cup game.
For now, though, the 18-year-old’s priority is simply to get back fit as quickly as possible and make up for lost time.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Get out while you can, Matt!
Poor Smithy, no comments, no photo! Hang in there kid!
I for one am utterly and belatedly outraged for him!!!
In all seriousness though, he is a very neat and tidy midfielder and he was captain so must have some leadership qualities. I know that we have several players currently in his way for the first team but lets hope that he stays fit and is then given chances around the 1st team squad. Just look how Joe has developed in the last 18 months, no reason why Smithy couldn’t achieve similar levels of success.
Good luck to him this season.