Arsenal: 3 internal solutions to transfer madness

Charlie Patino – Ainsley Maitland-Niles Replacement

Of all the departures that Arsenal have sanctioned (so far) none have been quite as head scratching as the decision to allow Ainsley Maitland-Niles to join Roma on loan.

On the surface it made total sense. The midfielder needed minutes he wasn’t getting at Arsenal, and in allowing him to leave on loan without a buy option it opens up a market for him in the summer where other clubs can enter the fray with bids that could be higher than that Roma had initially negotiated for.

But without a replacement lined up? Much less so. While the club can’t account for stupid red cards, letting Maitland-Niles leave weakened a key area of the squad that, coupled with Covid and injuries, meant players were either overworked, played out of position, or both. It stretched the squad at a pivotal time.

It doesn’t look like anyone is boarding a flight to London, however, which means there is likely to be extended involvement in the first team squad for Charlie Patino.

Making his senior debut against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup, followed by his full debut against Nottingham Forest, Patino has since been on the Premier League substitutes bench against both Norwich and Burnley. It’s fair to say we can expect a few more.

Boasting just four central midfielders, which should be enough for one game per week, as soon as one gets injured there will be a promotion for Patino. Well, in truth, the squad is so thin he’ll probably be involved anyway.

It’s very clear that he is not ready for senior football. Having allowed so many players to leave though, Arsenal may not have much choice but to hand him some Premier League minutes this season.

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