ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has explained why wonderkid Charlie Patino wasn’t involved in the team’s 3-0 win against Wimbledon.
The talented forward, 17, was expected to play against the League One side but Arteta opted for a more experienced 18-man squad.
When asked by the press about Patino’s omission, Arteta admitted: “He was very close [to being selected].
“But at the end we decided that some players needed minutes. It will happen naturally with time.”
Patino made his senior debut for Arsenal’s U23s against Swindon Town in the EFL Trophy earlier this month but is yet to play for the first team.
He was signed from Luton Town’s academy in July 2015 and is widely regarded as one of the club’s most promising youngsters.
There was no room for him against Wimbledon as Arteta deployed a strong team against the minnows to continue Arsenal’s good form.
After losing their first three Premier League fixtures without scoring, the Gunners have now won three consecutive games in all competitions.
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But Arteta insists Patino will get his chance, adding: “He’s been training well with us and he played a practice game with us and was good.
“So, give us time and we will prepare him.”
Thomas Partey, meanwhile, started his third consecutive game after missing the start of the season with an ankle injury.
Arteta has highlighted the importance of his star midfielder getting minutes under his belt as they attempt to climb the Prem table.
The Gunners boss revealed: “He hasn’t played a lot of minutes since he’s been injured and the rhythm of matches is not like any training session.
“We need him to play so it was beneficial.
“We didn’t think [there was any risk] but there’s always a risk when you play a match or a training session at the intensity we train at.
“We believed it was the right thing to do and he was really pushing for it.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
