Former Arsenal star 'finding it difficult' at new club with transfer 'not working out'

Former Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino has made a difficult start to life at Deportivo La Coruna since his £1million move this summer.

The 21-year-old has made just three appearances - starting once - in La Liga 2 following his switch to Spain. He has played 64 minutes in total - with his most-recent cameo coming vs Almeria before November's international break.

Patino was billed to be Deportivo's 'star signing' and was expected to be 'fundamental', but that hasn't happened because he's 'finding it difficult to adapt at the club', according to a report from Marca. Despite this, it's added that Patino's 'enthusiasm seems unbreakable' and he's determined to cement a regular place in the side.

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Following a challenging start to the 2024/2025 season, Deportivo appointed Oscar Gilsanz as their new manager, and he has explained why Patino's signing hasn't worked out for him and the club so far.

"He's one of the players we know the least about," Gilsanz said - as quoted by Marca. "We have to strengthen his defensive game so that he's fully prepared to play."

Patino joined Arsenal from Luton Town in 2015, and he progressed through the youth system at the Gunners. After spending last season on loan at Swansea in the Championship, Patino returned to the Sobha Realty Training Centre this summer and played in friendlies against Boreham Wood and Leyton Orient.

A decision was made late in the window to sell Patino to Deportivo for £1m. The Gunners have also negotiated a significant sell-on clause, which would see them stand to profit in the future, if Patino is sold at a later date.

The youngster played just two first-team matches for the Gunners in total - and scored in their 5-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Sunderland in December 2021. His other appearance came in the FA Cup at Nottingham Forest in January 2022 - a game in which Arsenal lost 1-0.