Matt Smith signs on loan at Swindon Town FC (Photo via SwindonTownFC.co.uk)
Midfielder Matt Smith was one of several young Gunners to head out on loan from Arsenal’s under 23 set up. And, things couldn’t have gone better for him on his debut in the football league, scoring the third goal in Swindon’s 3-1 win against Rochdale.
Smith, 19, joined Richie Wellens’ side on August 17 and was an unused substitute as Swindon crashed out of the Carabao Cup against Charlton, but went on to play the full ninety minutes in the reverse against the West Brom U23s several days later. Wellens, a manager with the potential to coach higher, saw enough of the Harlow born loanee to throw him in against Rochdale, and Smith repaid his manager’s faith by putting in a solid performance and grabbing a goal.
Smith might not be plying his trade in the top flight right now, but punters can still claim new Premier League free bets to use on Arsenal’s upcoming games. And, if the nineteen-year-old can keep turning in performances akin to the one against Rochdale, it won’t be long before Gunners boss Mikel Arteta brings him into the first-team picture. He’s proven himself with the 18s and 23s, so now he must continue in the same vein on loan in League One.
Elsewhere, centre half Zach Medley and winger Trae Coyle both played in Gillingham’s home defeat to recently relegated Hull City. It was a game which the Gills struggled to get into, with nineteen-year-old Coyle being hooked at halftime by manager Steve Evans, with the team 1-0 down. Medley, 20, played the full ninety but had to survive a barrage of attacks from Grant McCann’s men.
Right-back Jordi Osei-Tutu was also on the end of a reverse, as he made his Championship debut for Cardiff City. Last season’s playoff semi-finalists are one of the teams many expect to be challenging for the top six in the 2020/21 campaign. Still, they were outperformed at the Cardiff City Stadium by a well-drilled Sheffield Wednesday side, who started the season with a -12 points deduction.
Ben Sheaf is another Arsenal U23s star operating in the Championship on loan. The midfielder is spending the campaign on loan with newly-promoted Coventry City, after playing regularly for Doncaster Rovers in League One last term. Sheaf, 22, started Coventry’s opener at Bristol City on the bench, entering the fray on the hour mark. He was, however, unable to prevent Mark Robins’ side from slipping to a 2-1 defeat.
Tyreece John-Jules on his debut against MK Dons [Photo credit: Doncaster Free Press]
Speaking of Doncaster, after they did a great job with Sheaf last season, Tyreece John-Jules, who was on the bench for the Community Shield success against Liverpool, has been allowed to head to the Keepmoat. The nineteen-year-old, who is rated highly at the Emirates, lead the line from the start against MK Dons but was brought off by Darren Moore after seventy-eight minutes. Doncaster Rovers led from the fifty-third minute, but Bailey Cargill levelled late on. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
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I wasn’t too impressed by Steve Evans’ criticism of Zach Medley, it’s the kind of thing Mourinho does to deflect attention away from himself but doesn’t surprise me as I’ve heard some questionable things about Evens in the past. Hopefully it’s a one off for Evans and our youngsters, as it is Trae Coyle scored the decisive goal in tonight’s League Cup tie for Gillingham after coming off of the bench.