One of the biggest perplexities from the Arsenal pre-season tour was a distinct lack of opportunity afforded to members of the youth team. The Gunners have historically taken swathes of youth talents away on the senior tours.
However, only Reuell Walters and Arthur Okonkwo from the youth team were taken. Arsenal stars Charlie Patino, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Marcelo Flores and Salah Oulad M’Hand were all left at home, with some featuring in the under-21s friendlies.
Flores subsequently secured a move away on loan to Real Oviedo which explained his absence and Norton-Cuffy had only recently returned from an extended 2021/22 season thanks to the successful England under-19s.
READ MORE: Edu says Arsenal ‘have to win’ as Champions League target is thrown out in search for silverware
Patino and Salah though looked to be oversights. Mikel Arteta was asked why he had made the decision to opt against so many youth options whilst across the pond.
"It was (a tough decision to leave so many academy players behind) but it was impossible," he told football.london. "So, we have Reuell here, we have Flo as well and we have tried to balance. But we had a lot of young players as well in Germany, so I think we have the right balance."
A reasonable explanation. However, Patino's five minutes of game time in the pre-season friendly with Brentford yesterday brought further questions. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Mohamed Elneny and Sambi Lokonga all played but had plenty of opportunities in the US too.
Patino was brought off the bench for Maitland-Niles in the 85th minute to end the match which eventually concluded in a 2-1 defeat to The Bees. The Gunners had conceded twice before the break so Patino could not offer much in the final moments.
It is odd that Patino has not seen more game time considering his push into the senior side on two occasions last season. Coming on and scoring against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup before starting the Third Round FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest the following month.
The cups and Europa League group stage are surely seen as another chance to give Patino minutes at a senior level if he does not leave on loan. Should Arteta not provide the England youth international these chances, further questions are sure to be raised.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal have 13 players guaranteed to miss Crystal Palace trip at the start of next season
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from the Emirates Stadium
Full Arsenal Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
William Saliba contract renewal claims in doubt as Mikel Arteta prepares Arsenal statement start
Edu tells Lucas Paqueta he must do to convince Arsenal to invest as Lyon prepare for sale
