Photo: Charlie Patino and Folarin Balogun pictured training with Arsenal ahead of Sunderland

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are preparing to take on Sunderland this week in League Cup action and it’s a chance for Mikel Arteta to give some of his emerging young talents a chance.

Of course, it is a game the Gunners want to win. The League Cup gives Arsenal a chance at winning a trophy and is not something to be sniffed at for the club. However, with the busy festive fixture period to come, Arteta will no doubt be tempted to include some of his young guns.

And as pictures emerged today from training, it appears two in contention to get a chance are Charlie Patino, and Folarin Balogun. In a Tweet shared by Chris Wheatley, Patino, Balogun, and a number of other young players are seen training with the first-team.

It could very much hint at a big night for one or more of the youngsters. Of course, Balogun has already had a few chances in the last few seasons. And with January coming, he’ll be keen to showcase to potential loan clubs just what he can do.

Patino, meanwhile, is highly-rated. Indeed, Martin Odegaard has already labelled him as one of the ‘biggest talents’ in the Arsenal youth ranks. Quite the compliment from the Gunners’ in-form Norwegian.

TBR’s View: Charlie Patino To Shine If Given The Chance

And you only have to watch some highlights of 23s games or a few YouTube clips to see why. The teenager is a remarkable talent for his age and can be as good as any midfielder at the club.

Mikel Arteta has praised him before, while Jack Wilshere has also been another to point out his talent as well.

This Arsenal team is shaping up to be an exciting one for the future. Sunderland, then, is a big test for players like Patino, and one we are sure he’ll lap up.