Arsenal sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a team that has shocked the league with its combined quality. The squad, however, still lacks strength in depth and a future objective of Mikel Arteta is to reinforce the side with internal and external options.
Although it may come too soon to see those out on loan support the title charge, the 2023/24 season will provide further opportunity for some of the Gunners’ rising stars to earn their place. Arsenal have a plethora of talent out on loan, including midfielder Charlie Patino.
With Blackpool, Patino faced off against another of the Gunners’ loanees this past Saturday. Drawing 0-0 with Birmingham, Auston Trusty helped the Blues keep a clean sheet away from home.
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Patino has become a key figure for the Lancashire club and is already a firm fan favourite. Mikel Arteta gave him a chance in the senior side last season in both the Carabao and FA Cups.
Whilst Patino came through the youth academy, Trusty, now 24, was signed in January from the Colorado Rapids before returning to play in the MLS until the summer when he then left for the Championship club and has equally impressed in the English second tier. Both players are in with a shout to be part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
However, whilst Patino might already be in the eye of Arteta, Trusty is yet to receive the same treatment or even get a minute in the pre-season with the Spaniard. To make things worse, there had been suggestions that Arsenal had agreed on a potential free transfer with Frankfurt’s Evan Ndicka.
That said, conflicting reports from BILD have since claimed the 23-year-old centre-half is yet to make a decision on his future. With his contract up at the end of the season, Arsenal could sign the accomplished Frenchman and then sell Trusty for a profit after his impressive year in the Championship.
Should Arsenal be unable to secure Ndicka, Trusty is proving to be a valuable player and one who operates on the left-hand side which would provide strong cover for Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazilian is the only senior left-footed player left after Pablo Mari’s loan move to Monza that would become permanent should the Serie A side avoid relegation.
With significant investment expected in the forward line, with suggestions the club are pushing to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk, finding a beneficial financial solution in defence could be of great interest to Edu.
Like William Saliba when he was at Marseille, the Gunners are sure to be keeping a close eye on Trusty and will be aware of the performances and progress he has made.
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