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Football London
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Luke Thrower

Arsenal to trigger contract clause with next Hale End star after Saka and Smith-Rowe success

Arsenal's recent success has come down to many things, with one of those being their implementation of younger players in the squad. While some of that has come from talent scouted and signed for the future, it also comes down to the famous Hale End academy.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah have graduated from the youth setup, showing there is a pathway to the first team. While that generation is spreading its metaphorical wings in the Premier League, the next set of youngsters watch on in wait for their chance to emulate that success.

"It’s part of our identity, to raise players," Manager Mikel Arteta said on the Hale End academy last year. "We have a great academy, we have coaches that deserve so much credit for the education that they are giving those players, and for how they have been coached."

READ MORE: Arsenal rival Newcastle in making 'first steps' to sign wonderkid right-back amid Ben White plan

One of those tipped for the big time is midfielder Charlie Patino, who made his debut in a Carabao Cup tie against Sunderland last season and marked it with a goal. The 19-year-old has since looked to continue his development with a loan move to Championship side Blackpool.

A concern for the Gunners will be that the youngster will be a free agent in summer 2023, however they will be looking to cover their backs coming. That's because the Athletic reports that Arsenal have a clause in Patino's contract to extend it by a further two years.

The side are set to trigger it in the coming days, hopeful of copying their trick that has seen their previous Hale End academy reach the top.

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