Report: Arsenal coaches expect 18-year-old to become key first-teamer in 2023; he’s so good it’s a ‘joke’

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Arsenal have several high-calibre players coming through the Hale End ranks and Charlie Patino is arguably one of the best.

Known for his technical ability and agility in midfield, the 18-year-old has often played for higher age groups at Arsenal.

Patino captained England’s Under-16s against Spain when he was just 14 years old.

At the same age, he made his debut for Arsenal’s Under-18s against Chelsea.

This season, Patino has been in and around Mikel Arteta’s first team, and has made two senior appearances.

The teenager made his Arsenal first-team debut in the Carabao Cup clash with Sunderland, and scored.

Mikel Arteta then gave Patino game time in the FA Cup third-round defeat to Nottingham Forest.

In addition, the youngster has made the bench on a further four occasions this term.

“Excitement has been building”

Last month, FourFourTwo named Patino at number 20 in their list of top 50 most exciting teenagers in world football.

Now, Goal.com has followed suit, naming the Arsenal gem at number 28 in their NxtGn 2022 list.

In addition, the outlet claimed the Gunners setup expect Patino to become an integral first-teamer by next year.

“Described as ‘the best player who has ever walked through the doors at Hale End’, excitement around Charlie Patino has been building at Arsenal for some time,” they wrote.

“The 18-year-old midfielder has already offered Gunners fans a glimpse of his talent, too, after he marked his first-team debut with a goal in December.

“Barcelona have previously taken an interest in signing Patino, who is expected to make himself a key member of Mikel Arteta’s squad over the next 12-18 months.”

Arsenal gem can “really go to the top” – Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand is a huge fan of Patino and, in January, named him as his Premier League young player to watch in 2022.

“Go on YouTube and watch his clips. It’s a joke what you see,” he told BT Sport (1/1; 11:42). “The talent he’s got. I’ve spoken to people at Arsenal.

“And what they say about him in terms of this kid, talent-wise, he could potentially be the best of the lot that’s come out in recent years.

“Very balanced kid, but has the fundamentals in his game to really, really go to the top of the tree. I think he’ll get the opportunities here.

“When you watch him, there’s a beautiful way he plays, the balance, the rhythm. The fans will enjoy watching him.”