Yahoo Sports How has Charlie Patino done since leaving Arsenal?
Charlie Patino, once considered one of Arsenal‘s brightest prospects, made a surprising move to Deportivo La Coruña in the Spanish Segunda Division this summer.
His departure, a decision influenced by both professional ambitions and personal connections, saw him sign a four-year contract with the Spanish club.
However, despite the fanfare surrounding his arrival, Patino’s playing career at Deportivo has yet to get going.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who grew up idolising Deportivo due to his family’s strong ties to the club, has surprisingly found himself at the back of the pecking order.
Despite being a celebrated signing, Patino has not played a single minute in Deportivo’s first four games this season, making him the only outfield player in the squad yet to play.
This situation has sparked controversy among Deportivo fans, who expected to see much more from the former Arsenal player.
Deportivo manager Imanol Idiakez addressed Patino’s lack of game time before their match against Burgos, stating, “I would like to know how many of Charlie’s matches people who ask for him have seen. He is a good player, but he has changed country, situation…” This comment has reportedly only added to the frustration among fans eager to see the young talent in action, according to Thursday’s edition of AS.
Patino’s journey at Arsenal began in 2015, and he quickly rose through the ranks, making his first-team debut in December 2021 in a 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Sunderland, where he even scored.
Despite showing promise, Patino struggled to break into Mikel Arteta’s plans. Loan spells at Blackpool and Swansea City offered him valuable experience, but his path to the Arsenal first team was blocked by established stars like Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard.
Patino’s move to Deportivo was driven not just by a desire for regular first-team football but also by a deep family connection. His grandfather, who moved from Spain to London in the 1960s, was a lifelong Deportivo fan, and Charlie grew up supporting the club despite never seeing them in their prime.
This emotional link made the move a dream come true, as confirmed by a heartfelt video from his father, Julio Patino, stating, “Today you have made a dream come true that has been part of our family.”
From Arsenal’s perspective, selling Patino for a reported £1 million, with a substantial sell-on clause, was a pragmatic decision, given his limited opportunities at the club.
As Deportivo aims to climb back to its former glory, Patino’s lack of minutes so far is a little surprising, but the season is still young, and, as his coach said, the move has been a massive change to Patino’s entire life.
