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Former Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino has spoken up for the first time about the lack of opportunities to prove his worth at the Emirates. The England U-21 international is on the books of Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna, having left the Gunners in the summer.
Patino joined Arsenal in 2015 from Luton Town, with the Gunners paying £10,000 for the talented then 11-year-old. The young midfielder was touted for greatness at the club and made a goalscoring debut in December 2020 in a EFL Cup game against Sunderland aged just 17.
Charlie Patino made only two senior appearances for the Gunners before moving out on loan, first to Blackpool and then to Swansea City, before leaving the club permanently. The Englishman spoke to The Guardian about his time at the Emirates and the lack of a pathway for him.
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“I don’t have any regrets… I just feel sometimes I wanted to be involved more. I felt I didn’t really get the communication or pathway I wanted or felt I deserved. But that’s life.
“And [even] if that door doesn’t open, you’re bettering yourself, giving yourself a better opportunity to play at a high level. Arsenal are not the only football club in the world. There are hundreds of teams competing at the highest level.”
A left-footed midfielder, Patino was tipped to be the heir to Martin Odegaard at the club, but the pathway disappeared following the signing of Fabio Vieira. Still only 21, the youngster chose to pursue a career elsewhere, signing a four-year deal with Deportivo in the Spanish second tier.
Charlie Patino has made just one appearance for his new club, as a substitute, this season. In his absence, Mikel Arteta has elevated 17-year-old wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri to a substitute role at the Emirates from the club's academy.
Former Arsenal star reaches landmark in Premier League clash against Newcastle
Former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck reached a landmark tally in the Premier League after scoring for Brighton & Hove Albion in their 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday. The former England international has now recorded 100 goal contributions in the English top-flight in 341 games.
On the same day that Arsenal lost their mojo against Bournemouth, Welbeck continued his fine form in Tyneside with his fifth league goal this season. The goal was the 72nd of his career in the Premier League, and with 28 assists to his name, he brought up the 100 goal contributions mark.
Welbeck was a Gunner for five years between 2014 and 2019 after joining the club from Manchester United. He scored 16 goals in 88 appearances in the Premier League for the club.
