Arsenal’s Charlie Patino was pictured in first-team training yesterday, as Mikel Arteta’s side gear up to face Manchester City on New Year’s Day.
Prepping for City
Patino was pictured in a whole host of photos at London Colney.
Patino notably battled with Alexandre Lacazette for possession at one stage (as pictured above), as he looked to impress.
The Arsenal 18-year-old also competed against Emile Smith Rowe in a sprint drill and burst away from Gabriel Martinelli at one stage.
Patino appears to have been kept in Arsenal senior training after proving his ability in the League Cup recently.
He scored on his senior debut against Sunderland in what was a 5-1 win for the Gunners.
There is great excitement building around Patino’s future at Arsenal.
Anyone who has watched Arsenal’s development squads in recent years have known about Patino’s quality.
The teenager is so comfortable in possession and has a great range of passing.
He has already been compared to Jack Wilshere such is his quality, and he has caught the eye of his teammates.
Martin Odegaard named Patino as Arsenal’s most exciting youngster recently, while Jamie Redknapp and David Seaman have also waxed lyrical about him of late.
Premier League debut incoming?
His reputation is progressively growing, and it would rise exponentially again if he was used against City.
That seems unlikely to happen though, although his continued inclusion in first-team training does suggest that he is at least in contention.
Arsenal look most likely to start with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey against City.
But if they need added quality on the ball then Patino could well be an option if the game progresses and Arteta decides to put his faith in youth.
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