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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Charlie Patino among Arsenal starlets set to shine in 2023 despite major transfer push

Arsenal have a strong track record of blooding academy players and they will look to continue that trend in 2023.

Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are shining examples for youngsters at the club who are desperate to follow in their footsteps.

Arsenal have shown how they are ready to spend big in the transfer market but, even if they splash the cash, these young stars could make an impact for the Gunners.

Charlie Patino

The midfielder is currently on loan at Championship club Blackpool and has impressed during his time there.

The loan appears to have done Patino wonders, exposing him to the intensity of first-team football, and he will want to finish the season strongly.

A decision will then have to be taken in the summer as to whether Arsenal loan the 19-year-old again or else blood him into the first team. Given Patino’s form, the latter looks possible.

Step up: Arsenal starlet Charlie Patino has been thriving out on loan at Blackpool (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

He may still be only 18, but defender Norton-Cuffy has shown he has the potential to be a real hit for Arsenal.

The defender excelled on loan at Lincoln last season and this time around he is making waves at Rotherham.

Norton-Cuffy is a regular for England at various age levels, helping the Under-19s win the European Championship in the summer.

Quick and strong, he looks physically ready to make the jump to first team.

Excitement building: Lino Sousa has made quite an impact since joining from West Brom (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Lino Sousa

There has been a huge amount of hype at Arsenal around Sousa, ever since they were able to lure him away from West Brom in January.

The 17-year-old is a talented prospect and he fits the mould of what Mikel Arteta wants from a left-back.

Comfortable on the ball and able to get forward, Sousa will hope he could sneak into some FA Cup squads for Arsenal.

A loan move to the EFL looks possible too.

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