Talented Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino is set for a loan move to Championship side Blackpool, according to Jeorge Bird.
Bird's report was later confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.
The 18-year-old broke into Mikel Arteta's first team last season, making his first appearances and scoring his first goal for Arsenal.
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Patino was expected to play Arsenal's Europa League games this season but the club have clearly decided his development is better spent on loan.
Blackpool are now managed by Michael Appleton, who left Lincoln City at the end of last season.
The coach oversaw Brooke Norton-Cuffy's successful loan at Lincoln.
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Patino made his debut for Arsenal last season in a 5-1 win against Sunderland, in the League cup.
The midfielder arrived late in the box and poked in Pepe's pass to score his first goal, complete with a knee slide.
He had his first start in the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest, however struggled as Arsenal lost.
Speaking on the starlet's debut, Arteta said:
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“A beautiful moment.
“He is a kid that is coming through our system, a lovely kid. He is training with us almost every week. It was a dream.
"As a debut to come here, to score in front of our fans, a really special moment. I think that is very positive [that the fans were singing his name].
"They heard about him and know what he can become and now we have to cook him slowly. Today was a good start, I think.
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“[Too much hype around him] is what we have to avoid.
"He still has a lot of competition in front of him. He is really young. And he needs to go step by step.
"Today he was lucky, he got the opportunity and he took it really well.”
Arsenal will hope Patino can experience a more physical brand of football in the championship, and can come back a player who is ready to enter the squad.
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Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, EFL Championship, Transfers
