Charlie Patino has taken to Twitter to react after Arsenal announced that Jack Henry-Francis had signed a professional contract.
What’s the story?
Well, the 18-year-old has been rewarded for his efforts in the Hale End Academy with a professional deal and the No.80 shirt.
Henry-Francis has made five appearances for the Gunners this season at youth level, having made the step up to the Under-23 ranks.
Before that, the teenager had made 21 appearances at Under-18 level, scoring one goal while providing three assists.
After hearing the news, Patino posted the following tweet.
Henry-Francis will hope to follow in Patino’s footsteps.
The highly-rated playmaker is on the verge of a first-team debut, and many expected Mikel Arteta to select Patino against AFC Wimbledon recently.
What sort of player have Arsenal got in Jack Henry-Francis?
Well, the north Londoners have a versatile figure in Henry-Francis.
So far this season, he has played at both centre-back as well as in defensive-midfield – a similar positional skillset to that of Declan Rice.
The Republic of Ireland youth international has already made his first-team debut for Arsenal, albeit not in a competitive game.
Henry-Francis played against Hibernian back in July, during Arsenal’s pre-season.
By the sounds of it, the Gunners have another very bright prospect on their hands, one who could follow in Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe’s footsteps.
Whatever Per Mertesacker is doing in the Hale End Academy, long may it continue.
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