RIO FERDINAND expects 2022 to be the year Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino becomes a breakthrough star. Patino, 18, burst onto the scene in a big way last week when he made his senior debut during a 5-1 triumph over Sunderland in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates. The midfielder only spent 10 minutes on […]
RIO FERDINAND expects 2022 to be the year Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino becomes a breakthrough star.
Patino, 18, burst onto the scene in a big way last week when he made his senior debut during a 5-1 triumph over Sunderland in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates.
The midfielder only spent 10 minutes on the pitch and still got a goal during stoppage time and Ferdinand expects great things from him.
At No87, Patino became the highest squad number ever to score for the north Londoners – beating Bukayo Saka’s previous record when he played with No77.
The Manchester United legend firmly believes the Watford lad will evolve into a star and urged Gunners fans to watch highlights of his youth career on YouTube.
Ferdinand told BT Sport when asked why he backs Patino to become a breakthrough star: “Just watching him, go on YouTube and watch his clips. It’s a joke, what you see. The talent he’s got…
“I’ve spoken to people at Arsenal and what they say about him in terms of this kid, talentwise he could potentially be the best of the lot that has come out in recent years.
“It’s a huge bar but this kid has a talent I think, and the big part of him I think is the mentality.
“You talk to anyone who knows him, mentally doesn’t get carried away. Doesn’t get too low, doesn’t get too high – very balanced kid.
“But [he] has all the fundamentals in his game to really go to the top of the tree.
“I think he will get the opportunities here, I think Mikel Arteta is somebody we’ve seen with Emile Smith Rowe [and] with Saka.
“He’s introducing the young players. And this kid is the next on the runway to come out.
“I just feel when you watch him there’s a beautiful wave. The balance, the rhythm The fans will enjoy watching him and what I liked about him is that when he came on the other day they were singing his name.
“They know what they’ve got here, they got to let him breathe, and breathe into it.”
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