Recent reports have emerged which suggest that Arsenal Academy graduates Charlie Patino and Zach Awe are set to leave the club in search of more minutes ahead of next season.
Charlie Patino signed his first professional contract with Arsenal back in 2021. However, the England U21 international is yet to break into the first team picture at Arsenal and after a successful loan spell, playing week in, week out at Blackpool throughout the 22/23 season, he wants to continue playing regularly next season which is unlikely to happen if he stays in North London.
Charlie Patino made 27 appearances for Blackpool while on loan this season. He scored two goals and bagged four assists during his time in the Championship. He averaged 35 passes per game and had a pass completion rate of 72%. Blackpool manager, Michael Appleton praised Patino for his early performances at the club.Â
However, Patino struggled to maintain his fine start and lost his spot in the starting 11 to Mike McCarthy. Further into the season Appleton was sacked. Patino showed signs of progress as he found his way back into the starting 11 under interim manager Stephen Dobbie.Â
The Athletic reports that Patino wants to leave Arsenal rather than get loaned out again next season. He wants a permanent club and is looking for more playtime, which he will struggle to get if he stays at Arsenal.
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However Arsenal aren’t willing to give up on Charlie Patino that easily, with the academy graduate very highly rated internally throughout the club. The Gunners are set to include a first option buy back clause for any deal involving the 19-year-old this summer, meaning if the Gunners do let Patino leave, they will get first option to buy him back in the future.
Considering how highly Mikel Arteta rates the player, there is a high possibility this won’t be the end of Charlie Patino in an Arsenal shirt.
Another academy graduate, Zach Awe, is also set to leave Arsenal. Awe signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in February 2021. Unlike Patino, Awe is yet to make his competitive debut with the Gunners. However, he has featured on the bench for Arsenal as an unused substitute in the game against Wolves in 2022.Â
While Awe has found minutes for Arsenal during pre-season friendlies, Telegraph’s Mike McGarth reports that Zach Awe wants to leave Arsenal in search of more minutes ahead of next season .
McGarth’s report says: “Arsenal centre-back Zach Awe, 19, to leave club this summer for regular senior football. Teenager has been in matchday squads but allowed to leave when contract expires, similar situation to Charlie Patino who will depart. Awe has not been on loan but interest from Championship.”
McGarth has pointed out that Patino is in ‘a similar situation’ as Awe and will also leave Arsenal. Patino’s future however, is something that is not yet certain. Charlie Patino’s play style is very similar to that of Santi Cazorla or even Cesc Fabregas.
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