Rio Ferdinand hopes 2022 will be the year Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino becomes a successful star.
Patino, 18, had a massive blast last week when he made his senior debut during a 5-1 win over Sunderland in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates.
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The midfielder spent only 10 minutes on the pitch and still scored a goal during stoppage time and Ferdinand expects great things from him.
At number 87, Patino became the highest squad number ever to score for North London – beating Bukayo Saka’s previous record when he played at number 77.
The Manchester United legend firmly believes the Watford lad will grow into a star and urged Gunners fans to watch highlights of his youthful career on YouTube.
Ferdinand told BT Sport when asked why he supported Patino to become a successful star: “Just watching him, go to YouTube and watch his clips. It’s a joke, you see That talent is…
“I’ve talked to people at Arsenal and what they say about him in terms of this kid, in terms of talent, he could potentially be the best one I’ve come across in recent years.
“It’s a huge bar but this kid has a talent I think, and a big part of that I think is the mindset.
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“You talk to anyone who knows him, don’t get psyched. Not too low, not too high – too balanced kid.
“But [he] He has all the basics in his game to really get to the top of the tree.
“I think he’ll get opportunities here, I think Mikel Arteta is the one we’ve seen with Emil Smith Rowe [and] with Saka.
“He’s introducing young players. And this kid is next on the runway to come out.
“I think there’s a beautiful wave when you see him. Balance, Rhythm fans will enjoy watching him and what I liked about him is that when he came the other day they were singing his name Were.
“They know what they’ve got here, they have to let it breathe, and breathe in it.”
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