"He’s sensational" - Forgotten Arsenal player is smashing it out on loan

Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino has dazzled while on loan in the Championship and was even labelled “sensational” by his Blackpool teammate.

Patino, a product of Arsenal’s lauded Hale End academy, caused a stir among the Arsenal fan base when he scored on his senior debut in the Carabao Cup win against Sunderland last December.

However, a series of niggling injuries restricted the youngster to just one further appearance for the first team in January’s FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest.

This term Patino was reportedly expected to stay at Arsenal and pick up some more minutes in the senior side during the club’s Europa League campaign.

However, the youngster was keen to gain more first team experience on loan, and Arsenal subsequently agreed to send him to Championship side Blackpool.

To say the move has gone well would be an understatement.

Last weekend Patino won the hearts of the Blackpool faithful by scoring a goal and claiming an assist in the club’s 4-2 win over Lancashire rivals Preston North End.

Blackpool team-mate Jerry Yates told GOAL: “He’s sensational. He deserves all the credit.

“He’s only young, but the way he has taken to the Championship is unbelievable. He’ll be a top, top player.”

Meanwhile Patino’s technical ability and physical prowess has shone through in the Championship.

Matt Scrafton of the Blackpool Gazette tells GOAL: "It's been a brilliant start. I don’t think Charlie could have dreamt that it would have gone much better.

“He’s by far and away the best player in the squad in terms of natural ability. But what’s impressed me the most is that he does have that other side to him.

“When he started here, he was just 18. He’s not really muscly, tall or big, but he can stand up to things physically.

“He would have never experienced anything like the derby on Saturday before. It was a proper battle and he was really impressive.”