Phil Sumbler
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a message of hope to Charlie Patino on his ambitions to appear on a regular basis for the Gunners first team by saying that they are keeping an eye on internal options.
Patino has been the stand out loan player in SA1 this season and only two weeks ago talked of his ambition to get in the first team at the Emirates Stadium as he continued his excellent form for the Swans.
The Swans will be hoping that that form does not mean that a January recall is something to worry about although, as with any loan signing, it is always a possibility.
The form of Patino will increase that worry although the fact that should Arsenal want him back then he will be competing for a place with Declan Rice suggests that his development will be better here in SA1 but, despite that, Arsenal still consider him very much of their planning for a first team place. “‘There is always a pathway,” said Arteta as he faced the press ahead of their midweek Carabao Clash against West Ham.
“When you make decisions on those kind of players it is always to keep an eye on them and see if we can evolve the squad in a way. The first thing we do is look at what we have internally.”
Football League World reports that Patino is also attracting interest from Italy with Italian scout and intermediatery Michele Fratini stating that the quartet of Juventus, Napoli, AC Milan and Inter Milan are all watching and keeping tabs on the 20-year-old.
Patino was expected to be allowed to leave Arsenal on a permanent deal last summer before the Swans took him on the season long loan.
“I would like to point out Charlie Patino, a midfielder born in 2003 for Arsenal who is playing on loan at Swansea,” Fratini said, per Pianeta Milan.
“He is a pure talent, he is left-footed, he is the only playmaker in English football.
“He is linked to all the top Italian clubs such as Milan, Juventus, Inter and Napoli.”
Patino is am ambitious player and wants first team football as per his words two weeks back “Physicality is one of the main aspects I want to improve,’ he says. “I go in and do extra recovery, extra gym sessions to better myself as a player. I think it’s important because if I want to step up and be a Premier League player, the games are a lot quicker now and you have to be ready for one-v-one duels and battles that happen all over the pitch.
“But ultimately, it’s about getting to where you want to get to, and that’s the same for me. I want to play in the first team at Arsenal and being here is a massive pathway to help me do that.”
Patino will be looking to continue his rich vein of form on Saturday when Sunderland visit the Swansea.com Stadium (3pm kick off)
