Arsenal fans want Mikel Arteta to unleash Charlie Patino amid the long-term absence of Granit Xhaka.
The 29-year-old is set to be out of action for three months after damaging his knee ligaments, as confirmed by the club’s official website.
During Arsenal’s League Cup win over Wimbledon, supporters wanted to see Hale-End superstar Patino given a shot at first-team action.
But Arteta sprinkled a fair few senior players into the squad, including Thomas Partey, which blocked Patino’s chances of earning that call.
And given that there is now a spot available, Arsenal fans would like to see Patino pushed up the order and, at the very least, earn that spot in the matchday squad.
Even though Xhaka will be a huge miss for Arteta, he still has options to choose from in that department.
Albert Sambi Lokonga will now be looking to earn that extra game time, as will the forgotten man Mohamed Elneny.
But it also needs to be remembered that come January, when Xhaka will still be expected to be recovering, Thomas Partey will go off to the Africa Cup of Nations.
So, once again, another door might open for Arsenal’s 17-year-old talent.
Patino might not get a shot straight away, but with Arsenal facing Leeds in the League Cup next month, then he might just get that call he has been craving.
Here is a selection of Arsenal fans wanting Patino to be picked after the Xhaka news:
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