‘Resembles Phil Foden’: Arsenal starlet Charlie Patino named in Next-Gen list by The Guardian

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Arsenal have a long history of bringing through fine young players and it looks like they might have another one on their hands in the shape of Charlie Patino.

Patino is included in a prestigious list put together by The Guardian, which details the best and most promising ‘first-year scholars’ at each Premier League club. Essentially, that means a player who was born between September 2003 and August 2004.

The youngster only turns 17 this month but is already catching the eye at Arsenal, with the report claiming Mikel Arteta is already a big fan of the midfielder.

Arsenal have produced some fine young players in the past in midfield. Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere, and more recently, Joe Willock, all examples of some top talent to emerge in recent times.

Wilshere comparisons but elements of Phil Foden

The report from the Guardian provides some details on what Gunners fans can expect from Patino if he does ever get his breakthrough.

“A willowy central midfielder with a diamond of a left foot, he has consistently dominated games at age-group level both domestically and for England. Inevitable comparisons to Jack Wilshere have arisen but some believe Patino, who can dictate from deep or play further forwards, more resembles Phil Foden in style.”

Those comparisons suggest Mikel Arteta has an excellent young player on his hands. Of course, Wilshere has enjoyed a stellar – if a little bit underwhelming – career, while Foden is now a regular for Manchester City.

One thing is for sure here, and that’s that Patino is a player definitely worth keeping an eye on. If he can emulate either of the two players he’d been compared with, then Arsenal can count themselves very lucky indeed.