Arsenal Starlet Hoping To Follow In William Saliba’s Footsteps

Arsenal prodigy Charlie Patino is inspired by William Saliba…

Arsenal starlet Charlie Patino is using William Saliba as his inspiration during his loan spell at Swansea City with the midfielder hoping to use it at the platform to return and compete in the first-team, the Daily Mail reports.

Patino’s long-term future was under scrutiny during the summer transfer window with just two years remaining on his deal and no obvious pathway to the first team.

The 19-year-old’s loan spell at Blackpool last season had some decent bright spells, but the England U21 international didn’t do enough to make the Gunners staff believe that he’s ready for the first team.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported in the summer that Patino was set for a summer exit and claimed that demand came from the player’s side.

🚨 EXCL: Charlie Patino set to leave Arsenal permanently this summer. 19yo wants regular 1st team action; unlikely for now + prefers not to exit #AFC on loan again. Club receptive & ready to help facilitate, as interest builds from UK/abroad @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/S1jlrCC0OY

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 1, 2023

However, that never materialised, and now Patino is eyeing a long-term future at his boyhood club and is hoping his current loan spell provides the perfect platform.

“Saliba is a different player to me.,” Patino explained.

“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.

“Everyone’s journey is different. Bukayo went straight from academy to first team, Eddie went on a few loans, Emile went on a few loans, so everyone’s journey is different. 

“But ultimately, it’s about getting to where you want to get to, and that’s the same for me. I want to play in the first team at Arsenal and being here is a massive pathway to help me do that,” Patino added.

The reports that came out over the summer about Patino’s departure were rather bizarre and it seemed like a preemptive tactic from his representatives.

Patino is represented by New Era Global, an agency headed by Man United legend Rio Ferdinand.  No further comments, your honour!