‘Hale End Kimmich’, ‘he’s that good’: Some fans react as ‘phenomenal’ Arsenal talent makes loan move

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Arsenal academy midfielder Matt Smith will be plying his trade on loan for a new club for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old came through the ranks at Hale End after joining Arsenal’s Under-9s, and signed his first professional Gunners contract in February 2019.

He captained Arsenal’s Under-18s to the Premier League South title in 2018-19, playing every minute for his side, and was a regular in the Under-23s last season.

Smith also trained frequently with the Arsenal first-team and has made the matchday squad on six occasions, including in the FA Cup final, where he got his hands on a winners’ medal.

The playmaker was on loan at Swindon in the first half of the season, making 24 appearances in League One as well as two in the EFL Trophy.

Smith has swapped a relegation battle for pursuit of promotion, joining high-flying Charlton, who are seventh in the table.

And plenty of Arsenal and Swindon fans on social media have let the Addicks faithful know just what a “phenomenal” talent they now have in their ranks:

The Arsenal website describes Smith as a “composed midfielder with an eye for a pass”, who “typically looks to operate as a deep-lying playmaker, tasked with controlling the tempo of games and picking out runners in the final third.”