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Blackpool manager Michael Appleton piles praise on Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino
Michael Appleton labelled Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino “oustanding” for his performance for Blackpool during Tuesday’s 0-0 stalemate with Sunderland.
There will be plenty of Arsenal fans keeping a keen eye on Blackpool’s results this season, with promising 18-year-old Patino spending the season on loan with The Tangerines.
So far, the Gunners will be mightily impressed with their teenage star after he ran the show for Blackpool against Sunderland on Tuesday evening.
But it isn’t just Arsenal fans raving about Patino’s talents – Blackpool boss Appleton was full of superlatives when discussing his performance.
“He can deal with the ball in any area of the pitch, go past people left side, right side,” Appleton said, as quoted by The Mirror.
“I said when he came to the club he’s as good as anything I’ve seen dealing with the ball and with good movement of the ball as you’ve seen tonight he can play as a six, can play as a ten, can play as an eight.
“He’s got a really, really good future ahead of him. I thought he was outstanding tonight, especially in that second half.
“He controlled the game, it was his game, he played at his tempo when he wanted to speed it up he sped it up, when he wanted to slow it down he slowed it down, when he wanted to switch the play he did it. It was a very mature performance from a very young lad.”
Knocking on the door
Patino is enjoying a very successful first loan spell away from The Emirates.
Blackpool have by no means been great in the Championship this season, with Appleton’s side sitting 21st in the Championship with 12 points from 12 games.
But the fact that Patino is shining in a struggling side is only more of a testament to his abilities. At such a young age, he’s taking games by the scruff of the neck and leading the side from midfield.
It’s an attribute that will stand out to Mikel Arteta as much as any technical ability, as not only does Patino boast incredible passing range and great vision, but he’s also showing signs of maturing at Blackpool.
As it stands, there’s arguably no better club in England than Arsenal right now when it comes to bringing through youngsters.
Arteta has made it a priority of his to bring through a very young squad at the Emirates, and the Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League as a result.
Should Patino continue in his current vein of form, there’s no reason why he can’t join Arteta’s squad in the next season or two.
In other Arsenal news, Martin Odegaard says wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri is in ‘great hands’ with Jack Wilshere