Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Jack Wilshere, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Football
Marcus Chan
Arsenal are reportedly set to part ways with their wonderkid who has been likened to Jack Wilshere.
Since Mikel Arteta took over the reigns in North London, some of Arsenal’s academy stars have been given an opportunity to shine.
Ethan Nwaneri in particular, became the youngest-ever Premier League player when he came on during the 22/23 season.
Midfielder Charlie Patino had hoped to follow the likes of Nwaneri, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka and break through to the first team.
After putting in impressive performances for the youth teams, Patino was likened to former Gunners star Wilshere due to his play style.
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Patino then spent a season on loan at Blackpool and was impressive.
The 20-year-old was loaned to Championship side Swansea City for the 23/24 season but failed to produce his best football.
As reported by the London Evening Standard, Arsenal are ready to part ways with Patino after he was left frustrated by the lack of opportunities at the club.
Speaking to the Daily Mail back in October, Patino said: “It’s inspiring to see someone from Arsenal being able to go on loan, make a name for himself and come back and show his qualities at Arsenal because it is a massive club.
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“Everyone’s journey is different. Bukayo Saka went straight from academy to first team, Eddie Nketiah went on a few loans, Emile Smith Rowe went on a few loans, so everyone’s journey is different. But ultimately, it’s about getting to where you want to get to, and that’s the same for me. I want to play in the first team at Arsenal and being here is a massive pathway to help me do that.”
Arsenal scout, Brian Stapleton, who was the one to discover Wilsher, spoke about Patino to GOAL, he said: “Of all the years I’ve been scouting, he’s the best kid I’ve ever seen. I got a tip-off about Charlie from a guy, so I went over there and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. He was 11 and I think he was playing in the under-13s, and I was like ‘wow’.
“His first touch was unbelievable, his vision, his awareness of space. He was way above his years, he was on another planet to anyone else on the pitch. I made a phone call to my head of my department at Arsenal at the time, Sean O’Connor. He asked what I thought and I said: ‘Well, I’m not coming back again. I don’t need to see any more, you need to sign this kid straight away’.”