3 months ago
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Once considered the future of Arsenal’s midfield, Charlie Patino is reportedly set to call time on his Gunners career after nine years at the club.
Patino became an overnight sensation in 2021 when the then-18-year-old scored on his debut in a 5-1 win over Sunderland in the League Cup.
Many tipped him to become a top-class talent for Mikel Arteta for seasons to come, with Arsenal’s head of scouting Shaun O’Connor once describing him as the ‘best player who has ever walked through the doors at Hale End’.
But despite his impressive performances in the youth ranks, Patino would make just one more senior appearance for the club in an FA Cup loss in January 2022.
He has spent the last two seasons on loan at Championship sides Blackpool and Swansea, struggling for regular minutes at the latter despite manager Luke Williams calling the midfielder ‘excellent’ and ‘exceptional’.
While still well-regarded, it has long been clear that he is not part of Arteta’s plans and with the England youth star now in the last year of his contract, Arsenal have decided to move him on.
Multiple sources including Fabrizio Romano report that Patino will join La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna in a transfer worth around £1million with a ‘significant’ sell-on clause included in his contract.
Having failed to make the grade in England, a switch to Spain may well benefit Patino who is noted for his strong technical ability, while the player himself named Arsenal and Spain icons Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas as his main influences.
Moreover, England midfielder Jude Bellingham has cemented his status as one of the world’s best players since moving to Real Madrid, while Conor Gallagher has been tipped to thrive after leaving Chelsea for Atletico Madrid.
Speaking after his goalscoring debut, Arteta said of Patino: ‘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.’
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