Charlie Patino has admitted that he wants to kick on at Arsenal and establish himself as a first-team player at the Emirates.
The Arsenal youngster has been tipped to be the next great product of Arsenal's Hale End academy, following in the footsteps of now household names, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has shown a willingness to build his protect with youth, as well as incorporate youngsters like Patino as and when they're ready.
After making his debut in December in a 5-1 win over Sunderland in the Carabao Cup - a game he scored in - the 18-year-old star has been working hard to ensure that he'll one day be a first-team regular at Arsenal.
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Speaking about that game, he said: “It was an amazing night,” he told Goal. “When I came on, it was an amazing feeling hearing everyone chanting my name. It gave me so much confidence. I felt free, I felt like I could play like I normally play.
“Then when I got my first pass off, it brought even more confidence. Then to score after Pepe crossed it in, it was just amazing, honestly.”
Patino, who also started the FA Cup third round defeat to Nottingham Forest in January, added: “I remember afterwards I was just hugging the staff and all the players were coming over to me and saying, 'congratulations, you deserve this, enjoy your night'.
"My family and my agent were watching in the Adidas box, and just walking in and seeing their faces afterwards was great because they’d all spent so much time travelling up and down the country watching me play over the years when I was at St Albans, Luton and Hale End. I said to my family that night, 'this is just the start, I want more'."
Patino has been a regular with the Under-23s this season, and he continued by explaining how that experience has helped him to continue developing: “This season has been great for me,” he said. “Playing games with the Under-23s, whether that be in Premier League 2 or against men in the Papa John’s Trophy. Then getting the call-up to be with the first team for eight or nine weeks was amazing.
“I know the difference now between the first team and the U23s and it’s massive. The speed of the game, the quality, how quick they move the ball, the strength of the players. Just getting that understanding of where I need to be, how much gym I need to do, the technical and tactical side of the game. It’s all been so important. Now I just want to kick on, hopefully be with them in pre-season and try to establish myself a spot in the dressing room.”
As Arteta predominantly has a good track record with the young players at the club, fans may trust that Patino will be properly involved with the ongoing Arsenal project when the time is right. Until then, it seems as though he'll keep on working hard as he's promised, and prepare himself for another opportunity in red and white.
