Charlie Patino does not want to leave Arsenal amid Real Sociedad’s interest as he wants to carve out a place in Mikel Arteta’s first team.
According to Fichajes, Charlie Patino remains uninterested in joining Real Sociedad as he dreams of carving out a career at Arsenal. The midfield prodigy continues to shine on loan with Swansea and sees William Saliba as an inspiration ahead of making his mark with the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta may have proved himself to be an astute player in the transfer market, but the Spaniard has a lot to do with some of Arsenal’s academy products. While the Gunners boss keeps getting plaudits for using a young squad, he has not promoted a single player into the first team from the academy since taking over.
Of course, there have been instances that academy stars have featured for the first team in a few games, but he has yet to make a concerted effort with a single player. To his credit, the Spaniard did pave the way for Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe and Reiss Nelson to become established players in this Arsenal side, but fans have yet to see a proper promotion for a youth player.
One of the prominent names from their academy is that of Charlie Patino. The Arsenal midfield prodigy has created a lot of chatter amid some impressive performances while on loan to Blackpool last season. Earlier in the summer, he decided to leave the Gunners on a permanent basis but soon changed his mind over another temporary move.
🗣️ "I want to play in the first team at Arsenal and being here is a massive pathway to help me do that."
🔴 Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino is keen to make an impression while out on loan at Swansea.
👀 Real Sociedad are reportedly keeping tabs on him. https://t.co/0IiI30kGCF
— TEAMtalk (@TEAMtalk) October 14, 2023
The Gunners triggered a contract extension in his deal to extend it until 2025, which gives them room to decide his future. Their decision to convince the midfield prodigy rather than letting him leave will likely pay dividends in the future.
For instance, he has been sensational for Swansea, scoring once and providing three assists so far this season. When he returns to Arsenal in the summer, Patino hopes to have made a mark on Arteta to make him part of his first-team plans.
Amid interest from Real Sociedad, who are keen to sign the 19-year-old as a long-term option, Patino wants to carve out a future at Arsenal. He has taken a leaf out of William Saliba’s book and takes inspiration from the French defender in a bid to make his dream come true.
Patino said, “I want to play in the first team at Arsenal and being here is a massive pathway to help me do that.”
“Saliba is a different player to me. He’s a centre back, big, powerful, so for me it’s inspiring to see someone from Arsenal being able to go on loan, make a name for himself and come back and show his qualities at Arsenal because it is a massive club.”
Real Sociedad may have seen him as a potential replacement for Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi. Patino has excelled during his time away on loan and has shown enough maturity to make the Spanish side consider an approach.
Arsenal and Arteta are also keeping constant track of his progress. The Gunners have identified that Patino could make a mark for their first team, and they have decided to convince him to go on loan rather than seek a permanent transfer away from the club.
