Arsenal Wonderkid Charlie Patino: I Love The Culture At The Club

By The Editor
on 23rd March 2022

Charlie Patino enjoying his time around the first team…

Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino has expressed his happiness at the culture that’s been established around the club as he continues his development, the midfielder told Goal.

Patino has been training with the first team for most of the season and scored on his debut in December’s League Cup win against Sunderland.

His first start for the club didn’t go to plan as we crashed out of the FA Cup to Nottingham Forest, but that will certainly prove to be a huge learning curve.

Crucially, Mikel Arteta invited the 18-year-old to travel with the first team for their warm-weather training camp in Dubai last month.

Patino told Goal that being part of Arteta’s pre-season plans ahead of next season is part of his short-term plans, and the teenager is enjoying the culture around the club.

“Coming to work here every day, you can see the vibe when the team wins,” Patino was quoted as saying.

“You can see smiles on faces, you can see everyone is training well together. When I go out to train on the first-team pitches, I see a phrase that says, ‘train to win’.

“What that means is if you work hard in training and do all the extras you need to do, it will put you in good stead to get the three points when it comes to matchday.

“That’s a really important message because if you work really hard, then talent will rise to the top.

“The club has turned around massively. The players, the coaches, the staff, everyone gets on with each other. It’s just a good culture to be a part of.

“I enjoy myself every day when I drive into London Colney,” the Hale End graduate added.

Patino has been recovering from a niggling injury in recent weeks but declared himself fit as he attempts to help Arsenal’s U23s climb up the table.

The playmaker has had quite a few injury setbacks in recent years, and one would hope that his body resists those knocks and he can grow into a resilient player.