I was in the Arsenal academy alongside Saka.. Arteta used to make us play Pictionary before matches

2 months ago 35

MATT SMITH must have thought he was a Time Lord who had travelled into a parallel universe when finding himself playing Pictionary just hours before Arsenal matches.

But that was simply what life was like working under Mikel Arteta.

Smith, 23, joined the Arsenal academy aged seven and got his chance to impress the Spaniard when Project Restart saw the best youngsters called up to train with the first team.

He was named in six matchday squads at the end of the 2019-20 season – sitting beside Bukayo Saka on the bench for the FA Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley – before loans to the EFL.

Former FA Youth Cup runner-up Smith returned to the Emirates last season, the final year of his contract and his last chance to make his senior Gunners debut.

And while that moment never arrived – Smith was an unused sub nine times in 2022-23 including away at Tottenham – he was still very much involved in the bizarre pre-match preparations of manager Arteta.

He told The Athletic: “We had meetings at the hotel before the match and there would always be a game or something silly to get everyone switched on and working together as a team.

“Some involved tennis balls and other times there were quizzes, which would be about the tactical information on the opposition we’d been learning all week.

“You had to get into groups and play things like Pictionary.

“It was an ‘are you ready for the game?’ type of thing but it was mad because, at times, it was only two hours before kick-off!”

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Unlike sensation Saka, Smith never got that special feeling of stepping over the white line in the famous red and white of his boyhood club.

But he understandably looks back fondly on his time at Arsenal, including that surreal day at Wembley, and cannot speak highly enough of Arteta.

Smith added: “The FA Cup final is my best memory.

“It was different due to there being no fans but the full day was an amazing experience. The medal is pride of place at my mum and dad’s house.

“I didn’t play but it will be one of those things at the end of your career you look back on and appreciate it a little bit more. I appreciate it now but my career is just getting started.”

Smith continued: “There are no passengers allowed with Arteta. He delivered that message from day one.

“Sometimes you get to a certain age and think you know football, that there’s not much more you can learn, but he made me see the game differently.

“He was a massive help with my development, showing me little movements to make the game easier, so I have nothing but good things to say about him.

“Martin Odegaard was club captain and it was great to be around him, not just to see the footballer, but the level of professionalism. It was next level.

We’ll be looking at being title contenders next year, 100 per cent

Matt Smith

“The way he carries himself, the training intensity, how he is in the gym. The way he applies himself to everything, even days off. He was a big influence on me.”

Smith took all the experiences and wisdom gained across 15 years at Arsenal – plus loans at Swindon, Charlton and Doncaster – with him when he packed up his Gunners locker one final time last summer.

After contemplating heading abroad for a fresh challenge, he returned to League One with relegated Wigan.

The Latics kicked off the campaign on -8 points but look set for a mid-table finish, thanks in part to Smith’s winner at Shrewsbury in February.

And though slugging it out in the EFL may seem a far cry from the glitz of European nights at the Emirates, the Pictionary star is already drawing up his plans for next season.

Smith said: “It’s a young team. For a few boys, it is their first season in professional football, so considering the points deduction, we’re on a good path.

“I am probably one of the most experienced ones, which is mad. We should be even stronger next year, we’ll be looking at being title contenders, 100 per cent.”