Charlie Patino is impressing on loan at Blackpool and earned rave reviews from Lancs Live after the Arsenal star scored in a 4-2 Blackpool win over fierce rivals Preston North End – winning a 9/10 rating and described as a “joy to watch”.
Patino, 19, joined Blackpool on loan in the summer after breaking into the Arsenal side last term. He even scored in his two outings for the Gunners. At Blackpool, he has played 12 times – starting Blackpool’s last seven league games.
On Saturday, the scoreline was reading 1-1 when Patino popped up to score. The technically-gifted Hale End academy product guided a side-footed left-foot shot into the far corner from all of 25 yards. A gorgeous finish from Patino.
But he was not finished there. He then strolled forward on the left flank and chipped a lovely cross into Jerry Yates, who planted a header past Freddie Woodman. The score ended 4-2 to Blackpool, and Patino earned enormous praise.
Lancs Live gave him 9/10, raving about his performance in the middle of the park: “A joy to watch, glides effortlessly through midfield and his technical quality for his goal and Yates assist spoke volumes of where he is heading.”
Arsenal star Patino earned rave reviews in 4-2 Blackpool win
What a performance from the young midfielder. What is exciting for Arsenal fans, is that the Gunners will need a central midfielder next summer. Mo Elneny’s contract ends and Mikel Arteta already needs depth in the middle.
Patino is more in the mould of Martin Odegaard and Fabio Vieira, than a Thomas Partey or a Granit Xhaka. Arteta has switched his side to three-man midfield in which Partey sits, and Xhaka and Odegaard bomb forward. Patino fits.
He can be the man to supply cover for Odegaard, or replace Xhaka when the Swiss ace inevitably gets suspended. If he continues to shine for Blackpool this season, there is no reason why he cannot return to shine for Arsenal.
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