In the wake of being knocked out of so many cup competitions, combined with the absence of European football, the Arsenal youth hopefuls' hype has been swallowed up in the story of the top-four chase.
Given Arsenal have the youngest starting XI in the league, further mention of the young guns can seem like overkill. However, Charlie Patino has been the standout of the core group in this campaign, with the hype growing all the time.
The England youth international is on the mend after suffering an injury but will return to the under 23s soon and continue making his name there.
Patino earned a senior start in the 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA and scored on his debut aftercoming on against Sunderland.
A loan for Patino has not been discussed and like Bukayo Saka, it was thought he would have the quality to push into the first team when the time came.
Where Patino will play remains up for debate. Starting alongside Sambi Lokonga against Forest hinted at maybe a deeper role for him. However, he can play a more offensive style and perhaps discussions surrounding Martin Odegaard can provide some clarity.
The Arsenal Way outlined the parallels between Mikel Arteta’s 4-3-3 and Manchester City’s, with Kevin De Bruyne operating in the role that Odegaard has been tasked with by the Spanish coach.
Alongside him at Arsenal is Granit Xhaka. A player who is more defensive focused despite recent displays demonstrating a more forward-thinking approach.
City play with either Bernardo Silva, an attack-minded and relentless presence, or Ilkay Gundogan, who knits play together and has a knack of making timely arrivals into the penalty area, alongside De Bruyne.
This position created by Arteta in the Arsenal team could be the perfect pathway for Patino to get into the Gunners line-up next season.
There are suggestions that the club intends to push ahead with a serious summer signing in midfield. However, this has not stopped the youth from Hale End from breaking into the first team.
Nicolas Pepe cost £72million and, while he sits on the bench, Saka has become the undroppable right-winger.
Patino too, despite the threat of competition in the form of a summer signing, can see this same route for himself and with another competition in the form of Europe to compete in, the 18-year-old has the scope to earn himself more minutes.
With his return from injury, perhaps spaces on the bench will again open up. Omari Hutchinson and Zak Swanson have both been present in the senior setup of late.
With Patino considered ahead of them in the Arsenal pecking order, he might still be able to make an impression before the season concludes.
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