Arsenal Offload Another Academy Star as Charlie Patino Completes £1M Transfer to Deportivo Amid Anger from Gunners Supporters

This week has left other Arsenal fans fuming as another of the club’s academy stars, Charlie Patino, completed a £1m switch on Spanish second-tier outfit Deportivo de La Coruna.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who had been with Arsenal for nine years, leaves the Emirates despite showing enormous promise and having entrenched himself in the hearts of ardent Gunners supporters.

Arsenal Sell Academy Star Charlie Patino to Deportivo for £1M Amid Fan Outrage

Patino’s Journey at Arsenal

Charlie Patino signed up to Arsenal Youth in 2015, when he was only 12 years old, and gained numerous rapid successive promotions to higher levels of competition by dint of his excellence in talent and technical ability. His involvement with Arsenal has largely been something of a legend.

He made his senior debut in December 2021 in a Carabao Cup quarter-final game against Sunderland, where he scored and became an instant fan favorite for the Arsenal supporters. Over the last two seasons, Patino has been loaned to Blackpool and Swansea City, where he accumulated good first-team playing time.

However, in spite of his development and fans’ loud demand for his presence in the senior squad, Patino was never fixed as a regular unit of Mikel Arteta’s tactical designs.

The Decision to Sell

The sale of Patino has not gone down well with the Arsenal faithful. Many fans saw him as a star of the future, one who could possibly fill the void created by the talent that has passed through the midfield position. His ability to control games from the center of the park, alongside his excellent vision and range of passing, made him a player with massive promise.

However, Arteta and the Arsenal management seemingly discovered that Patino needs to need to serve their long-term vision for the club. The club’s management and Arteta seemingly prefer players who will have an instant manifestation of the ambitions at the level at which Arsenal is competing in top-tier competitions, majorly at the level of the Premier League and in European competitions.

The sale to Deportivo de La Coruña, a historically famed club playing in the second division of Spanish football, includes a significant sell-on clause, signifying that Arsenal holds huge belief in Patino’s future growth.

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Fan Reaction

A majority of the Arsenal fans’ reaction could have been more welcoming. Many went to express their anger on social media, wondering how the club could let go of an influential player in their academy. Patino’s move brought to life another concern the Arsenal fans have always had with their club’s management of youth prospects.

Still, from people’s reservations and worries, the club could be making yet another mistake of the past, not giving the academy talents a chance to shine.

Patino was one of the brightest prospects we have had in years. Gut-wrenching to see him depart without ever getting a real chance,opined one among legion fans on Twitter.

Patino’s Future at Deportivo

For Patino, the move to Deportivo will be a fresh stage in his career. Although the Spanish team is now playing in the second division, the ambitions are great. The ambition is for the player to help return to La Liga, an arena to which the team is historically accustomed.

Patino himself will be eager to prove that Arsenal made a mistake by letting him go. His technical game and ability to dictate the tempo from midfield will make him an influential figure for Deportivo as they aim to climb the ladder in Spanish football.

The 20-year-old player will join the team immediately and will be available for the next game against Racing Ferrol on Sunday, September 1.

Conclusion

Therefore, Charlie Patino’s sale has been an annoying incident for most Arsenal fans, who watched him progress and develop in his young years.

Although this transfer to Deportivo de La Coruna gives Patino a great chance to take part in regular first-team football and for him to improve further, clearly, his sale is not taken as a great deal by the Gunners supporters. Only time will tell if that was indeed the right decision for Patino and Arsenal.

People May Ask

Why did Arsenal sell Charlie Patino?

Arsenal sold Charlie Patino because he was not in Mikel Arteta’s plans for the future, despite his potential and fan support.

How much was Charlie Patino sold for?

Charlie Patino was sold to Deportivo de La Coruna for a fee of around £1 million.

What are the fans’ reactions to Patino’s sale?

Arsenal fans are unhappy with the sale, feeling that Patino deserved a chance in the first team and that the club may regret letting him go.

What is next for Charlie Patino?

Patino will join Deportivo’s squad and is expected to play a key role in their push for promotion to La Liga.

Does Arsenal have a sell-on clause for Patino?

Yes, Arsenal holds a significant sell-on clause in Patino’s contract with Deportivo.