Arsenal have let go of several Hale End Academy graduates over the last year, with many needing to leave to further their careers.
Emile Smith Rowe was the most difficult sale Mikel Arteta made this summer, with the popular midfielder admitting that he had to leave in order to play more.
Eddie Nketiah also joined Crystal Palace, a year after Folarin Balogun moved to Monaco.
The three players were all highly rated within Hale End before making their first team debuts, but whilst there was excitement over all three of them, there was another who was perhaps even more exciting.
Charlie Patino was once regarded as one of the biggest talents Hale End has ever seen, and the midfielder sent the Emirates Stadium wild when he scored on his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup in 2021.
However, Patino’s career has not progressed as anticipated, and the Englishman made a shock move to Deportivo La Coruna in the summer in order to spark a revival in form, but this has been far from a dream move.
Eyebrows were raised when Patino left Arsenal permanently to join Spanish Segunda Division side Deportivo La Coruna in the summer window.
Despite not successfully breaking into the Arsenal team, many anticipated that the 21-year-old would be desired by top flight clubs, or teams in England, but his move was also motivated by Patino’s family connections to Deportivo La Coruna.
This move was his chance to play regularly after two mixed loan spells at Blackpool and Swansea City, and showcase his talent in a league which may be more suited to his style of play.
However, Patino has hardly featured, and has managed just seven minutes of game time so far. This came in a late substitute appearance in a 5-2 victory away at Albacete, with the score already settled.
Depor are struggling, as they are 17th in the league with just two victories in nine league games, and Patino has been an unused substitute for eight of them, raising huge questions about what the future holds for him.
Charlie Patino’s unlucky downfall at Arsenal
Patino was a hugely promising talent, and as a teenager he watched Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka become regular starters under Mikel Arteta.
However, he managed just one competitive start, and was out of his depth as an injury-stricken Arsenal side were beaten at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
Arsenal since became title challengers whilst Patino was out on loan, and several midfielders including Declan Rice and Mikel Merino were signed.
Patino’s downfall in stature at Arsenal was not necessarily his fault, as he was a victim of poor timing, but his career is at huge risk of stagnating if he now fails to make the grade at a club struggling towards the bottom of the Spanish second tier, after being billed as a potentially world-class talent.
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