Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino will reportedly make his debut this evening in the League Cup against Sunderland.
According to the Mirror, the 18-year-old midfielder is set to earn his first senior appearance for the Gunners after months of anticipation. The youngster has been a star for Arsenal at youth level with the U-23s flying under Kevin Betsy.
Patino was rumoured to make his debut for Arsenal against AFC Wimbledon in September. However, the teenager didn’t even make the bench as Mikel Arteta opted to select a strong squad for the match.
As per the report, the youngster has been likened to Manchester City winger Phil Foden, who ranked in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting. Patino has also been compared to Jack Wilshere, with the duo both being recruited by Arsenal by the same scout.
As well as Patino, Omar Rekik is set to debut for Arsenal as reported by the Athletic, with the Tunisia international one of the U-23’s best players this season alongside his England youth international teammate.
A win tonight will see the Gunners progress to the League Cup semi-finals for the first time since the 2017/18 season. And with Arsenal facing League One opposition in Sunderland at the Emirates, the north London side are strong favourites to progress.
Arteta can afford to test Arsenal youngsters against Sunderland
Patino is one of many exciting talents coming through at Hale End this season. And with Arsenal facing an EFL side in Sunderland tonight, Arteta can afford to experiment with the squad, with the 18-year-old midfielder more than likely to feature.
As well as Rekik, there could be numerous players who make their debuts this evening against Sunderland, and with Arsenal’s U-23s in impressive form this season, the youngsters who do make the step-up could impress for the senior side.
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