The Arsenal academy has produced some fine talents in recent years, and Charlie Patino may have the potential to be the best of them. Mikel Arteta has now opened up on his uncertain future.
The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Swansea City in the Championship, where he is thriving with a goal and four assists in 11 League games.
With his contract running out in 2025, he faces an uncertain future. He looked set to leave the club permanently in the summer before going on loan, and it is unclear whether Mikel Arteta considers him part of his long-term plans.
Arteta opens up on Patino future
Speaking in a press conference, Arteta claimed that should Patino want to stay, there is a pathway for him to gain a regular spot in the first-team.
“There is always a pathway to get back and when we make decisions on those players it is always to keep an eye on them and see if we can evolve the squad in a way, and the first thing that we do is look internally,” Arteta stated when asked about Patino.
Could Patino solve a problem for Arsenal?
Swansea City manager Michael Duff described Patino as “ambitious” earlier in the season, and the player may wish to move for a regular starting role.
However, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both ageing, and Partey linked with a move away, there may be a spot in the Arsenal midfield for Patino.
Given his skill on the ball, he could even fill the left ‘number eight’ role in the Arsenal midfield, next to Martin Odegaard and ahead of Declan Rice. Whilst there may be concerns over his physicality, his loans in the Championship have helped him develop that side of his game, and he remains an elite prospect in terms of his intelligence, skill and vision.
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