Arsenal to allow academy stars Charlie Patino and Zach Awe to leave this summer

Arsenal academy graduates Charlie Patino and Zach Awe are set to be allowed to leave the club in search of first team football this summer, according to a new report.

Patino has spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Blackpool, but could not help the Tangerines to avoid relegation to League One.

The 19-year-old arrived at the club when former West Brom and Preston North End midfielder Michael Appleton was at Bloomfield Road, and Appleton praised Patino for his early performances.

But the Gunners starlet began to struggle for form in the second part of the season, and was dropped to the bench on several occasions after Mick McCarthy took over.

He bounced back into the team for the final games of the campaign under interim boss Stephen Dobbie, and certainly showed progress throughout the season. He has been described as a 'prodigy' by football.london.

However, The Athletic claimed that Patino has elected to depart Arsenal permanently rather than go out on loan again next season.

Awe, a 19-year-old centre-back who is a strong passer of the ball, signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in February 2021 but has played exclusively for the club's youth sides.

He has not made his competitive senior debut, but was named on the bench for a Premier League fixture against Wolves in February 2022 and has featured in pre-season friendlies.

Both players are set to depart the Gunners this summer, according to a new report.

Arsenal academy stars 'set to leave'

According to The Telegraph's Mike McGrath, Awe will leave the Emirates Stadium this summer to find senior football elsewhere.

It is claimed that clubs from the Championship are interested in signing the young defender, who will depart once his contract expires next month.

McGrath adds that Patino, who is in a 'similar situation', will also leave.

The identity of Patino's next club is unclear at this stage, although Italian outlet Calciomercato claimed in November that Barcelona were interested in signing him. The midfielder holds a Spanish passport, with his father having been born in the country.

He is also eligible to represent Spain at senior level, although has played for England at U15, U17, U19 and U20 youth levels so far in his career.