Forgotten Arsenal star made debut alongside Ashley Cole before big career change
Arsenal's penalty shootout defeat to Middlesbrough in the League Cup back in November 1999 is better remembered for the emergence of a future star than it is the result.
The fourth-round tie signified the first senior club appearance of a certain Ashley Cole. The left back would later go to to make 228 appearances for the Gunners, winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups in the process, before further filling his trophy cabinet at Chelsea.
But while Cole's place as one of England's greatest left backs is now cemented, the debut of another Arsenal full back that night is all but forgotten. Academy graduate Rhys Weston came through the ranks at the club, but the game at Boro would prove the first of just three appearances before being moved on to League Two side Cardiff City for £300,000.
Weston's career would fluctuate from there. His seven years in south Wales saw him help the club rise into the Championship and there were also stints in Norway, Scotland, Iceland, and Malaysia. But despite winning seven caps for Wales, the Premier League never came calling again and he hung up his boots in 2020 after a year at semi-pro level with Cobham.
But now the man who few Arsenal fans will remember is back in England's top-flight, albeit in a non-playing capacity. Having initially worked for talkSPORT after retirement, Weston is now working behind the scenes at Brentford.
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A report in The Sun, has outlined how the 42-year-old now helps lead the Venue Optimisation team at the London club. His official title is Head of Team Operations, having previously held a lead role in their sales department.
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Rhys Weston played three games for ArsenalWeston is now charged for ramping up commercial revenue, a notion helped by the way the Bees have performed in the Premier League since promotion in 2021. Thomas Frank's side currently lie 11th, and that's despite the absence of suspended striker Ivan Toney.
Cole meanwhile, is currently under far more scrutiny than his former teammate. After coaching spells with the Chelsea Academy, England Under 21s, and Everton, he's currently part of Wayne Rooney's under-fire staffing team at Birmingham City.
Since coming on board, Blues have taken just one point from five games. It leaves the club down 18th in the table, having been in the play-off spots when Rooney and Cole arrived.
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