Three weeks ago, Arsenal announced on their official website that young Charlie Patino had been handed his first professional contract.
The 17-year-old is making all the right noises behind the scenes. Patino, a former England under-14 captain, is thought to be one of Arsenal’s most exciting young talents, and many have compared him to a young Jack Wilshere behind the scenes.
Wilshere was once thought to be the next big thing in English football. He became Arsenal’s youngest ever player when he made his debut against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League back in 2008.
Injuries have ruined Wilshere’s career, but technically, he is one of Arsenal’s finest academy products. Patino is viewed by many as a better player than the former Gunners star was at that age, and if his father is to be believed, Arteta and his staff love him.
Julio Patino told La Opinion a Coruna: “We are happy to sign that first contract, Charlie has worked hard. Arteta and all the technicians love him, but not only for what he does on the pitch. He doesn’t give problems, he listens, he asks them, he is interested in what they tell him.”
Patino has been seen in Arsenal’s first-team training sessions. If he is allowed among the seniors, he should be doing something right, and Arteta certainly has his sights on him.
The teenager is a very agile midfielder. He is often used with the youth teams as a number six, but he is more than capable of playing in a box-to-box role thanks to his technical ability on the ball.
An opportunity in the Premier League might just be too early for Patino, but you never know. Arsene Wenger handed Wilshere his debut at 16, and Arteta has already shown that he isn’t afraid to use the younger players if they show they are ready.
Patino is on Arsenal’s Europa League squad’s B list. If the Gunners wrap up qualification in the next game, the teenager might well be given a chance with the first-team, which would be brilliant for his progression.
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