“A Great Future” – Eddie Nketiah Lauds Arsenal Debutant Charlie Patino

Eddie Nketiah hails Gunners debutant, Charlie Patino…

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah hailed debutant Charlie Patino after the 18-year-old found the net minutes being introduced in our 5-1 win against Sunderland, Sky Sports reports.

Nketiah, on a normal day, would’ve stolen the headlines after bagging the first hat-trick of his senior career though had to share the attention after a wonderkid exploded onto the scene.

Patino has been identified by many fans and regular observers of our U23s as the next player primed to make the jump others have successfully done before him.

Ironically, Patino entered the fray on Tuesday night donning the No.87 shirt, the same number Bukayo Saka wore when he was introduced to us for the first time.

Patino, like Saka, hasn’t needed a loan move to make an impression in the first team and one presumes it may stay that way.

“It’s amazing for him,” Nketiah said.

“He’s a great lad with a great future ahead of him.

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“I was delighted for him to get on the scoresheet. It’s a great opportunity in this game to get your debut and impress. I think he did that.”

In terms of future first-team opportunities, Patino will certainly be eyeing the FA Cup third tie at The City Ground next month against Nottingham Forest.

With Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny off to the Africa Cup of Nations, we will be light in terms of midfield options for a few weeks.

Deputising for the aforementioned duo may be a step too far for the teenager, but stranger things have happened to catapult a generational talent’s career.