Arsenal starlet Charlie Patino was regarded as one of the biggest talents to ever come through the Hale End Academy, and he looked destined for great things.
There was great excitement within the crowd at the Emirates Stadium as he made his first-team debut in a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Sunderland, and the crowd erupted as he scored within minutes of coming on as substitution in a 5-1 win.
Patino was sensational in his time in the academy, displaying a level of technique and awareness that drew comparisons with current under-18 coach and former prodigy Jack Wilshere.
However, Patino, now 20, looks set to leave Arsenal permanently this summer. A departure seems to be the best option for him, but this was not something anyone would have predicted when he lit up the Emirates for the first time in 2021.
Charlie Patino was a special talent at Arsenal
When coming through the ranks at Arsenal, those who had coached him were convinced that they were watching a rare talent.
The Guardian even listed him as Arsenal’s most promising youngster in 2020, and drew comparisons with current Manchester City star Phil Foden, who is now one of the best players in the Premier League.
“A willowy central midfielder with a diamond of a left foot, he has consistently dominated games at age-group level both domestically and for England,” it was claimed in The Guardian in 2020.
“Inevitable comparisons to Jack Wilshere have arisen but some believe Patino, who can dictate from deep or play further forwards, more resembles Phil Foden in style.”
Patino embarked on necessary loan moves to gain senior experience whilst he was continuing to grow physically and enjoyed a successful spell at Blackpool last season.
He then looked destined to leave for good in search of regular football, but then decided to join Swansea City on loan. He has performed fairly well this season, but a first-team spot at Arsenal looks some way off.
Charlie Patino was simply unlucky at Arsenal
It is no fault of Patino’s that he has not enjoyed success at Arsenal. Unlike academy success stories Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, who broke into a sub-standard Arsenal side languishing lower down the table, Patino is competing with world-class players such as Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard for a spot.
With Mikel Arteta’s side aiming to challenge for the title, and appearing in the Champions and not Europa League, there is no pathway to action for someone like Patino, especially given how the likes of Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira struggle for minutes in midfield.
Patino is perhaps a case of right player at the wrong time. Arsenal want to strengthen their midfield with Martin Zubimendi this summer, and whilst Patino may feel he is the right profile to fit in to Arteta’s side, the level is too high for him to break into the team at this moment in his career.
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