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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ricky Charlesworth

Charlie Patino and four other Arsenal players who could be set for Championship loans

The summer transfer window is back up and running and the loan market is expected to be a well-used avenue once more for clubs in the Championship.

Earlier this week, Premier League giants Arsenal sent defender Harry Clarke on a season-long loan to Stoke City. Clarke spent last season on loan in Scotland with Ross County and Hibernian, playing 25 games combined.

"I see Stoke as a Premier League club like a lot of people do. I want to be part of something special here this year," Clarke told the club's website.

He is unlikely to be the last Arsenal player to head out on loan to a second-tier side. Here, Mirror Football looks at five other youngsters who could get game time the Championship next season.

Charlie Patino

Patino made his big breakthrough last season after being tipped for great things. And he didn't take long to make his mark, netting on his senior debut in an EFL Cup win over Sunderland just 10 minutes after climbing off the bench.

He would make a further appearance in the FA Cup that season and is firmly one for the future. Arsenal scout Brian Stapleton previously described the 18-year-old as "the best kid I've ever seen".

Although some have suggested the hustle and bustle of the Championship would not suit Patino's style, a short loan in the second tier could be an ideal environment for him to thrive in.

Reiss Nelson

Talented winger Nelson has enjoyed two loan spells so far, taking in a rich football culture in Germany and the Netherlands.

He made 21 appearances for Feyenoord last term and is entering the final year of his contract at the Emirates. It feels like a big year and a temporary move to a Championship side where he could potentially catch the eye would surely put him in the shop window.

He recently spoke of how his commitment to the sport has changed, saying: "Coming through the ranks [at Arsenal], I was - not fearless - but I just didn't care how many training sessions I would do outside of Arsenal. Now I literally have to come in earlier to do 15 minutes of stretching, then come back in after training to do extra bits."

Karl Hein

Spare a thought for goalkeeper Hein. The Estonia international had only played five games out on loan at Reading last term when he suffered a freak injury.

Royals boss Paul Ince said of the 20-year-old: "He fell in his house and took the ligament off his bone in his thumb. So they're talking four to six weeks out if he doesn't need surgery, or two months if it does."

Hein has recently been talked up as being third-choice stopper at the Emirates next season but given that entails very little football, he may be better served in heading out on loan again, especially given his last stint was cruelly cut short.

Miguel Azeez

Midfielder Azeez, 19, spent the first half of last season at League One side Portsmouth, where he made 10 appearances.

Conflicting reports have suggested the youngster will be part of the first team set-up at Arsenal next term, whilst some say Championship side Reading want to draft him in.

Spanish side Girona, recently promoted to La Liga, are also linked with a permanent deal for the player.

Mika Biereth

Striker Biereth dazzled last term for Arsenal Under-23 with 11 goals in 21 Premier League 2 outings.

Still just 19, Championship clubs have tentatively been linked with a temporary switch, whilst Dutch side RKC Waalwijk are also said to be heavily interested.

One possible option, albeit lower down the pyramid than Arsenal may like, is a loan to League Two club Crawley, who are now bossed by Kevin Betsy - Arsenal's former Under-23 coach.

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