Mikel Arteta has already told Arsenal fans transfer plan for 'special' star amid Liverpool links

Mikel Arteta has already told Arsenal fans what to expect when it comes to the future of Gunners hotshot Charlie Patino.

The 20-year-old, who has been dubbed as the next Jack Wilshere, broke into the Arsenal first team in December 2021 and is spending this season on loan at Championship side Swansea City. The England under-21 international is contacted at the Emirates until 2025 and has become the centre of a transfer storm this month.

The talented midfielder, who has been in and out of the side since the Swans sacked Michael Duff in early December, has been linked with a move to Serie A giants Juventus. Massimiliano Allegri's side are known to be in the market for a central midfielder this window with links to Manchester City man Kalvin Phillips as well as Patino.

The Sun reported that Juventus could offer striker Moise Kean to Arsenal, who are in the market for a marksman, in a bid to lure the promising youngster away from the UK. However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has cooled the reports, claiming there is 'nothing now' between the two sides.

Despite having not played for Arsenal since September 2022, Gunners fans would be disappointed to lose the player, who had become a fan favourite before even making his first-team debut. Supporters in the Emirates chanted Patino's name before his first showing against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup quarter-final fixture against Sunderland in December 2021, where he bagged a goal in a 10-minute cameo during the 5-1 win.

In recent days, the Gunners have been linked with a move for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and some fans have voiced frustration online at the club not seeming to be considering Patino as a first-team option. One Gooner said: "I would rather want to see Charlie Patino to be recalled than Curtis Jones to Arsenal."

While others added that Patino 'needs more time' to develop, many shared replies of 'I agree' and 'same here'. However, Arsenal fans need not panic if Arteta's comments in years gone by are anything to go by.

When asked about sending Patino out on loan last year and if there is a route back into the Arsenal side, the manager promised the club would look to reintegrate current players before splashing 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."

That message of patience is one that Arteta also shared after the player made his dream debut with a goal over two years ago. After the win over Sunderland, the Spaniard 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."