Mikel Arteta tells Arsenal fans he’s planning to unleash top talent soon, been dubbed ‘Cazorla 2.0’

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told Gunners fans that Charlie Patino getting a senior start “will happen”.

The North Londoners ran out 3-0 winners over Wimbledon in their Carabao Cup clash on Wednesday night.

Arsenal fans were hoping Patino would be involved, but he didn’t even make the matchday squad.

According to football.london, Arteta opted to give Thomas Partey minutes instead to build his match sharpness ahead of the Spurs weekend clash.

The Spaniard admitted after the victory over the Dons that “some players needed some minutes”.

However, he sought to reassure Arsenal fans who were eager to see the 17-year-old starlet in action.

“He was very close,” football.london quotes Arteta as saying.

“In the end we decided that some players needed some minutes – it will happen in time.

“Charlie’s been good. He played a practice match at Colney and he was really good.

“Again, give him time and we will prepare him.”

Patino is one of many academy talents tipped for stardom in the coming years.

Gunners coaches reportedly rate the Hale End gem very highly.

Last season, Patino earned promotion to the Under-23s – a great achievement considering his age – and made four appearances.

This season, he’s featuring regularly for the Under-23s and looking a cut above – surely proof that a senior debut is not far away.

Some Arsenal fans have even made comparisons with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla: