Arsenal to let 'special talent' leave club in bold decision

Arsenal are willing to let academy graduate Charlie Patino leave the Emirates Stadium this summer with the 20-year-old unlikely to find his way into the Gunners side under Mikel Arteta.

The midfielder has been on loan at Swansea City in the Championship this season and has just one year left on his Arsenal contract. Patino has enjoyed a decent campaign in Wales, making 31 Championship appearances, picking up three goals and four assists in the process - although he has now not started a game since New Year's Day.

When asked about sending Patino out on loan last year and if there is a route back into the Arsenal side, Arteta promised the club would look to reintegrate current players before splashing the cash. He said: "There is always a pathway. When we make decisions on those kind of players it's to keep an eye on them and see - can we evolve the squad in a way? The first thing we do is look what we have internally."

Patino had been linked with a sensational move to Juventus during the January transfer window, but it did not materialise. The Evening Standard now reports that the player will be sold to a club on the continent this summer by Arsenal.

It comes as 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri begins to turn heads in North London, signing his first professional contract last month. Patino holds a Spanish passport through his father Jules, which could aid a move to La Liga.

News of Patino's departure will come as a blow for Arsenal supporters, who hold affection for the youngster thanks to his memorable debut for the club. He scored against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup on his first appearance back in 2021.

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Speaking after his debut, Arteta said: "It was a beautiful moment. He is a kid that is coming through our system. A lovely kid, he's training with us almost every week and it was a dream.

"I think, as a debut, to come here and score at the Emirates in front of our fans, a really special moment. They [fans] care about it, know what he can become and he is cooking slowly. Today was a good start."