Wonderkid
Arsenal are building an incredibly exciting young team as they continue the evolution of the club.
And one of their shining stars scored on debut for the club against Sunderland - Charlie Patino.
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Mikel Arteta has found a winning formula in his first team squad over recent weeks but within the Gunners' talented academy set-up, they may have a player who is capable of being a welcome breath of fresh air over the weeks and months ahead.
Patino is highly-regarded in the Arsenal circles and may be someone who is set for an extended run in the first team before long.
But who is Patino? We take a look at one of Arsenal's most talented young players right now.
Charlie Patino: Profile
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Born in Watford on October 17, 2003, Patino was tipped for a bright future in football from an early stage.
Patino was spotted at the age of seven playing for St Albans City Youth Football Club and was picked up by Luton Town to join their academy set-up.
Speaking to Arsenal's website about the move, Patino said: "That’s when things started to become serious because it was no longer solely about the fun of playing, it was about improving and bettering myself on a weekly basis and testing myself against some of the best youth teams in the country. "
After five years with the Hatters Patino was the subject of real interest from several Premier League sides and opted to join Arsenal's academy, saying: "Going to Luton from St Albans was a big step for me, but going from Luton to Arsenal was even bigger. I remember my dad explaining to me that not every boy has the opportunity do that and we really took the time out to make sure that we chose the right club.
"I’ll never forget my first trip to Colney. As soon as I arrived, I told my dad that this is the place I want to be, not only for the amazing facilities, but for the opportunities this club gives to young players too."
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Charlie Patino: Position
The 18-year-old is a central midfielder by trade.
Renowned for his ball-playing ability, Patino has credited Santi Cazorla as a big inspiration for him as he continues to learn his trade with the Gunners.
He said: "I’ve always had an appreciation for that Spanish style of play. Growing up I adored Santi Cazorla as a player, and Cesc Fabregas and Mikel Arteta were some of my favourites too. But there’s something about Santi for me and the qualities that he had – he was something else.
"As a midfield player there’s so much I can learn from him, but from an attitude and professionalism perspective, and something a little closer to home, another player I really look up to is Bukayo Saka.
"He’s two years older than me and I’m working my hardest to try and follow in his footsteps. That’s the pathway I want to take at Arsenal."
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Charlie Patino: What has been said?
Brian Stapleton, the Arsenal scout who discovered Patino told Goal: "Of all the years I’ve been scouting, he’s the best kid I’ve ever seen.
"I got a tip off about Charlie from a guy, so I went over there and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. He was 11 and I think he was playing in the Under-13s, and I was like ‘wow’.
“His first touch was unbelievable, his vision, his awareness of space. He was way above his years, he was on another planet to anyone else on the pitch.
“I made a phone call to my head of my department at Arsenal at the time
“Sean O’Connor discovered Jack Wilshere and he said to me that Charlie is the best player who has ever walked through the doors at Hale End.”
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Following his goal against Sunderland Arteta said: “It was a beautiful moment.
“He is a kid that is coming through our system, a lovely kid. He is training with us almost every week. It was a dream. As a debut to come here, to score in front of our fans, a really special moment.”
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Asked about the hype surrounding him, Arteta added: “I know, I know. I think that is very positive. [The fans] heard about him and know what he can become and now we have to cook him slowly. Today was a good start, I think.
“He still has a lot of competition in front of him. He is really young. And he needs to go step by step. Today he was lucky, he got the opportunity and he took it really well.”