Swindon's Matt Smith targeting Arsenal call-up

Swindon Town loanee midfielder Matt Smith hopes impressive performances for the Wiltshire outfit this season will earn him a chance of a call-up at parent club Arsenal in the future. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to Smith ahead of tonight’s away fixture at Doncaster.

Arriving on loan from Premier League elite Arsenal at the start of the season, Matt Smith, 20, has been an influential figure in the Swindon Town midfield with performances in a Swindon shirt earning him frequent praise from pundits, fans, and teammates alike. 

Discussing his personal development this season after making the step-up to senior football, Smith explained how he hopes an impressive loan spell could kick-start his Arsenal career.

“It’s a really good experience for me and it’s a lot different from playing academy football,” said Smith.

“The tempo is a lot higher and you come up against teams that will test you in different ways to what you are used to in youth football.

“It’s more physical, the game is quicker and I have had to adapt to that. 

"Hopefully, I can just bring something to team with my passing,” he added.

“I’d like to think that If I do well here at Swindon then I will be given a chance [at Arsenal].

“That’s what this loan is about. I want to play for Swindon and I want to do well for the club and hopefully, this can push me on to get a chance with Arsenal and do well. 

“Who knows what will happen,” said Smith.

Scoring two goals and starting the majority of games at the heart of Swindon Town’s midfield this season, Smith has switched between playing in the number ten and six positions, becoming a key figure alongside Anthony Grant in the engine room of John Sheridan’s side. 

Showcasing his adaptability, Smith admits he is happy playing in either role. 

“I can play in either position, to be honest,” said Smith.

“I like getting on the ball so even when I play in the number ten position it’s nice to come in and give teams a different problem dropping short and getting on the ball.

“I’m not too fussed what position I play,” he added.

Stepping up from playing academy football, this season-long loan is Smith's first experience in senior football, and where many youth players often struggle, the Harlow-born midfielder has looked at ease playing in English football’s third division.

However, despite the encouraging signs, Swindon find themselves in the relegation zone, something which Smith says players are working hard to change.

“We can take positive signs out of games but ultimately this is a results-based game so we need to start getting some results,” said Smith.

“It’s nice that we are playing well and we can see the signs which is giving us confidence but we need to start creating more chances, being ruthless and taking those chances.

“Since the new manager has come in we have had to adjust slightly and it’s maybe been a bit different to what we were used to but there is positive signs,” he said.