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4 youngsters who deserve a chance at Arsenal
- Mikel Arteta hasn't given many youngsters a chance as Arsenal manager but there a select few that he must
Since becoming Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has been very limited in giving academy stars a chance in the first team and some have asked if there is even a clear path for youngsters. Despite his apparent reluctance to give out chances, there are a few that are in need of a serious opportunity.
Arsenal's academy has produced some absolute greats over the years with the likes of Tony Adams, David Rocastle and Ray Parlour all coming through the ranks.
Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah have also made the step up in recent years. There are four certain youngsters who deserve to be given a chance to replicate the aforementioned players.
1. Charlie Patino
Perhaps the most deserving on this list is Charlie Patino. The England youth international made his Arsenal debut in December 2021 when he came on as a substitute in a Carabao Cup tie against Sunderland. He netted a debut goal to seal a 5-1 win. Patino made his first start for the club in a 1-0 FA Cup defeat away to Nottingham Forest and was named in several Premier League matchday squads toward the end of the 2021/22 season.
Despite rumours of a promotion to the first team, Patino was loaned to Blackpool in the 2022 summer transfer window and spent a season with the Tangerines. It was reported that he wanted a move away from Arsenal last year in search of first team football but eventually joined Swansea City on a straight loan.
He has impressed during his time at Swansea, scoring three and assisting four in 30 league appearances. He has won 85 ground duels, putting him in the 88th percentile of players in the EFL Championship (at the time of writing).
Having had two seasons away on loan earning plenty of first team football experience, Patino deserves to be given a serious chance at Arsenal next season. Considering he was prepared to leave the club last summer, this should be a priority for Mikel Arteta as losing such a talent would be disastrous. With Thomas Partey potentially leaving the club this summer, there could be a chance for Patino to step up and become a backup midfielder to begin with.
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