Photo: 22-year-old spotted in Arsenal training, Arteta could pick him for 1st time ever

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Arsenal are gearing up for their second Europa League outing.

The Emirates Stadium will play host tonight as Mikel Arteta’s side welcome Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt to North London.

The Gunners kicked off their European adventure this season with a 2-1 victory away to FC Zurich in September.

A certain Matt Smith was named on the bench on that occasion and the 22-year-old has been spotted in Arteta’s senior training again ahead of tonight’s encounter.

Arsenal debut incoming?

Well, quite possibly.

Arsenal can almost certainly get the job done tonight without Smith, but the Hale End graduate has also been an unused substitute in a few Premier League outings for the North Londoners.

Arteta clearly rates him to the point where he’s willing to include him in senior matchday squads and if the Spaniard’s side are cruising past their opponents tonight, don’t be surprised if Smith wins a first-ever appearance for the club.

The former Doncaster Rovers loanee is a central midfielder and with Arsenal having a visit of Liveprool in the Premier League on Sunday evening, well it’s definitely possible that Arteta keeps some of his heavy hitters – like Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka – in reserve tonight, which could potentially be good news for players like Smith.

He played 90 minutes against Liverpool’s Under-21 side last Saturday, so he’s certainly fit enough tonight if Arteta calls on him.