Arsenal’s forgotten FA Cup winner sends parting message after leaving the club

15 June 2023 , 23:42

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Arsenal’s forgotten FA Cup winner sends parting message after leaving the club

Arsenal's 2020 FA Cup triumph will live long in the memory of every Gunner who witnessed it. They'd have done so from the television, given Wembley Stadium was closed to spectators.

Mikel Arteta's first trophy as a manager was won via 2-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea in August 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic was still in circulation far and wide. What is often forgotten about that game under the iconic Wembley arch, is the academy prospect rather randonly named on the bench for such a huge clash.

Not Bukayo Saka, who by that time had already featured a number of times in the Premier League, but Matt Smith. The then-teenager even picked up a winner's medal despite having never played a senior competitive fixture for the Gunners.

Three years on, he leaves still without a first-team outing to his name. Smith confirmed his departure via a heartfelt Instagram message that read: “Thank you Gunners. After 16 years at my boyhood club, it’s time for me to look to the next chapter of my career.

"Along this journey, it would be impossible to name everyone that has added to my time at the club. However, to all the players, staff, and supporters, I can only say thank you and that I am forever grateful.

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"To the fans - keep supporting this great club, success is around the corner. Once a Gooner, always a Gooner."

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Matt Smith has confirmed he will be leaving Arsenal at the end of his contract this month

During his time on the books at Arsenal, Smith has enjoyed a number of loan spells, including stints at Swindon Town, Charlton Athletic and Doncaster Rovers. Of the three, he played the most football at the latter.

Though he never did earn a run out at the highest level in an Arsenal shirt, Smith was regularly pictured in training with the first-team and was even named in the Gunners' 24-man squad for the 2022/23 Europa League campaign.

Hopes were high for Smith among those that keep a keen eye on Arsenal's youth sides, but the 22-year-old just couldn't break into a midfield that contained such star-studded names like Martin Odgeaard, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.

Just where he will end up next remains unclear, but there is an argument to be made that he's leaving at the right time given it appears the battle to start in Arsenal's midfield is only going to get harder.

The Gunners are preparing to submit a second bid for West Ham captain Declan Rice, this one thought to be worth more than £100m after their initial bid of £80m plus add-ons was swiftly rejected.

Josh O'Brien