Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta already has the perfect long-term replacement for Granit Xhaka in his team. The Swiss midfielder has been deployed as a box-to-box midfielder this season in Arteta's revamped 4-3-3 system.
Xhaka has scored four goals and provided five assists for the Gunners in all competitions so far this season. The 30-year-old is enjoying one of his best seasons in an Arsenal shirt after his career at the Emirates Stadium seemed to be over before Arteta helped him turn things around.
football.london understands the Gunners will add further new signings to the squad in the summer transfer window, making West Ham captain Declan Rice a priority target ahead of next season. The Hammers star could be available for around £80million and would offer strong competition for Thomas Partey in the holding midfield role, whilst one Arsenal youngster may be Arteta's ideal choice as a long-term replacement for Xhaka.
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Charlie Patino has put in a number of impressive displays during his loan spell with Blackpool this season, scoring four goals and providing a further six assists. The 19-year-old is a versatile midfielder that can play in both attacking and defensive roles.
His most recent display against Queens Park Rangers saw him grab two assists in Blackpool's 6-1 win at Bloomfield Road. Patino failed to be dispossessed once in the match, making five ball recoveries and winning 11 out of 15 duels (73%).
Last season, the young talent marked his senior debut with a goal in the EFL Cup against Sunderland leading to Arteta offering plenty of praise for the teenager. "He is a kid that is coming through our system, a lovely kid," the Gunners boss said.
"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."
Patino will be targeting the Swiss international's place in the Gunners' starting XI next season and considering the youngster has a similar blend of tactical intelligence, whilst also being left-footed, he could make the perfect long-term successor for Xhaka. Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe had a similarly successful loan spell in the Championship before establishing himself as a key member of Arteta's first team in recent years, and Patino will hope that his impressive development at Bloomfield Road could put him in the frame to be a part of the squad for the 2023/24 campaign.
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