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‘Wow’: Some Arsenal fans think Mikel Arteta will unleash the ‘Gilberto Silva regen’ next season

Giuseppe Labellarte

Wed 9 June 2021 6:45, UK

Arsenal academy star Charlie Patino will integrate into the Gunners first team next season, according to .

Gunners coaches rate the Hale End gem – who is already playing for Arsenal’s Under-23s – very highly.

Known for his technical ability and agility in midfield, Patino has often played for higher age groups.

As a 14-year-old, he captained England Under-16s against Spain, and in the same year he made his debut for Arsenal’s Under-18s against Chelsea.

Last season, Patino earned promotion to the Under-23s – quite a feat considering his age – and made four appearances.

He also played for the Under-18s, making 10 appearances for them.

According to , Per Mertesacker has earmarked Patino as a player who has the potential to eventually become a first-team regular.

It’s likely that Arsenal will offer Patino a new contract when he turns 18 in October, added the outlet.

Arsenal fans loved what they read, taking to Twitter to praise Patino’s progress:

“Arteta and all the technicians love him”

Patino signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in October last year.

, the player’s father, said last year that his son had already impressed Arteta.

“We are happy to sign that first contract, Charlie has worked hard,” he told .

“Arteta and all the technicians love him, but not only for what he does on the pitch.

“He doesn’t give problems, he listens, he asks them, he is interested in what they tell him.”

“Can’t just say ‘no thanks'”

Patino joined Arsenal from Luton in the summer of 2015 for a reported £10,000 fee.

And Julio said at the time that the opportunity was too good to turn down.

“Opportunities like this don’t come too often so you’ve got to take them and we’re absolutely delighted for him,” he told .

“When clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham, come knocking on your door, there’s a reason behind it and you can’t just say ‘no thanks, I’m quite happy where I am.’

“A lot of the coaches at Luton said to us that Charlie’s now at a level where he needs to be playing your Man City’s, your Chelsea’s, on a weekly basis, as opposed to academy three academies.

“There’s only so many extra training sessions a week you can give a child before you realise they’re at a level where they need to move on.

“Luton Town didn’t want to lose Charlie, they absolutely love him there, but they realised for him to develop further he needs to move on.”