Charlie Patino. Arsenal’s next big thing. He’s even been called “the best kid I’ve ever seen” by Gunners scout Brian Stapleton (talkSPORT).
After years of making things look easy in the Hale End Academy, Mikel Arteta is giving the 17-year-old an opportunity.
Patino has been pictured surrounded by first-team stars at London Colney, as he becomes a regular member of Arteta’s training sessions.
If that wasn’t enough of a boost to his development, Arsenal are seemingly about to hand the wonderkid another huge bonus.
Enter Jack Wilshere
Speaking in his pre-Burnley press conference today, Arteta confirmed that Jack Wilshere will train with the Gunners as he looks to maintain fitness.
As quoted by the Mirror – who confirm that the 29-year-old will attend training – the Spaniard said: “We are willing to help him as much as we possibly can. He knows that and that’s the situation.”
In our view, that will help Patino massively.
Wilshere has been in the teenager’s shoes, and knows exactly what it takes to break into the starting XI.
Jack Wilshere can help Charlie Patino cope with Arsenal pressure
Wilshere’s experience will also be vital to Patino in terms of dealing with the fame and clamour that come with such a breakthrough.
After all, practically the entirety of English media were talking about Wilshere after that stunning display against Barcelona in 2011.
If anyone can offer advice on how to cope with the pressure, it’s Wilshere.
For what it’s worth, the pair are both similar players, and are also left footed, so Wilshere should be able to help Patino in a footballing sense as well as from a mental aspect.
Presumably, Patino watched Wilshere’s rise, and took inspiration from that.
With the man himself training alongside him at London Colney, who knows how beneficial this will be to the wonderkid’s development at Arsenal.
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