Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino has suffered a major injury setback whilst out on loan at Blackpool after a promising start to life with the Championship side.
Patino left the Gunners to join Michael Appleton's side on a season-long loan deal earlier this summer as he looked to continue his development in England's second division. The 18-year-old is a Hale End graduate and regarded as one of Arsenal's brightest talents for the future.
Patino made an immediate impact in his first cameo of the season, with Blackpool fans creating a song for the Gunners loanee, with Appleton also full of praise for the youngster. However, the 18-year-old is now set to be sidelined after suffering an ankle injury in the win over Queens Park Rangers.
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The talented youngster, who has Spanish roots through his father, was clearly in discomfort after rolling his ankle, and it became evident that he wouldn't be able to continue in the second half. After the game, Appleton delivered an update on the 18-year-old's condition and said: "Charlie (Patino), his ankle is quite swollen.
"The injury to Charlie was a big blow because he was having a big influence on the game, he was playing his part," the Seasiders boss began in his post-match press conference. "It's not great, if I'm being honest.
"It was quite badly swollen at half-time, so it's obviously something where we've got to control the swelling, get the swelling down. Once we're in a position where the swelling is under control, then he can go and get it scanned."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping that Patino's injury is not a serious one, having already predicted big things for the youngster after he scored just minutes into his Gunners first-team debut against Sunderland last term. Arteta said: "[The fans] heard about him and know what he can become, and now we have to 'cook' him slowly; [Too much hype around him] is what we have to avoid. He still has a lot of competition in front of him.
"He is really young, and he needs to go step by step. Today he was lucky, he got the opportunity, and he took it really well."
The full extent of Patino's injury is expected to be revealed this week. Appleton will be hoping to have the Hale End starlet back as soon as possible after already having a 'big influence' on his team following his arrival from Arsenal.
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