Charles Watts claims ‘Arsenal do like’ teen Hale End talent but questions remain over future

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Journalist Charles Watts has clarified the Arsenal stance on the future of Charlie Patino.

Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino is currently on loan with Swansea City in the Championship.

The 19-year-old ace has made a bright start to life at the Welsh club. He has established himself as a key player for the Swans, is a regular starter, and has been able to chip in with one goal and three assists.

Mikel Arteta will be keeping a keen eye on how the Hale End academy starlet develops over the course of this campaign in the second tier of English football.

Regular senior football is certainly what Patino needs at this stage in his career. He is too good for reserves/under-21s football, but wouldn’t be able to get the regular run outs he requires if he remained at the Emirates Stadium.

Patino certainly has huge potential, but it remains to be seen if he can force his way into Arteta’s plans upon his return to Arsenal.

What next for Charlie Patino?

Charles Watts certainly feels that there are questions marks about the teenager’s long-term future. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said, “Arsenal do like Charlie Patino. It’s just about they’re not going to hold a player back if they think he’s not going to get into the first-team.”

“Everyone’s going to see how this season pans out then come back and sit down again and it could be a very different scenario.”

At one stage in the recent summer transfer window, Patino looked set to leave Arsenal on a permanent basis. However, it was eventually decided that he would only leave the club on loan.

The player himself has recently opened up about his own ambitions. He has his heart set on making the grade for his parent club. Speaking to The Daily Mail, the England under-21 international said, “I want to play in the first team at Arsenal and being here [Swansea] is a massive pathway to help me do that.”

It also makes sense for Arsenal to keep their options open. If Arteta doesn’t feel Patino is a natural fit for his tactical system, then Arsenal would be wise to cash in on the player whilst his stock is high and there is excitement about his potential.