Report: Arsenal insiders claim 18-year-old is the most exciting talent they’ve ever seen at Hale End

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have quite a few top talents coming through the ranks at Hale End.

And according to FourFourTwo, some Gunners insiders think Charlie Patino is the most exciting youngster they’ve ever seen there.

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

As a 14-year-old, Patino captained England’s Under-16s against Spain.

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

This season, Patino has made 16 appearances for the Gunners at age and senior level.

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.

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

“According to some at Arsenal, Charlie Patino is the most exciting youngster that they’ve ever seen at Hale End,” they wrote.

“An instant impact of a goal on his senior debut against Sunderland certainly strengthens that case.

“Patino is skilled as a passer, a dribbler and at shielding the ball, leading to Jack Wilshere parallels but he’s taller and could well become a more physical kind of player.

“Whether he’ll end up a no. 10 or no. 8 is unknown yet.

“But after chances in the cups under Mikel Arteta, it seems next year will be the one that we see him appear more in the league, as the Gunners ease through their latest superstar.”

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

Rio Ferdinand is a huge fan of Patino, naming 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.”