AFTV News

Who could replace Bukayo Saka if he leaves? By Matt Wright He has had a bit more help around him this time, but Bukayo Saka has continued to be a shining light for Arsenal during the 2021/22 season.  You really have to remind yourself Saka is still 20 years old, given the consistently high level of performances he has put in during the Gunners’ push to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in six years.  Saka’s performances in an otherwise disappointing 2020/21 campaign led to him playing a big part in helping England reach the final of Euro 2020.  Following his missed penalty in that heart-breaking shoot-out, it would have been understandable if the sort of hangover that has afflicted Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho at Manchester United had carried into this season.  Not a bit of, though; Saka’s game has continued to hit new heights, with the versatile winger scoring ten goals and registering five assists after scoring the only goal in Saturday’s win ...

Player profile: Salah Oulad M’Hand By Jonny Bray Salah Oulad M'Hand is an 18-year-old midfielder with a bright future at the Emirates. Despite his incredible potential, he remains a bit of an unknown entity in North London, even though he's already been included in first-team squads this season. He's yet to make his senior first-team debut, but the fact that Mikel Arteta gave him the opportunity to travel with the squad to Leeds and Nottingham Forest indicates that he's firmly in the Spaniard's plans. Oulad M'Hand is part of a very exciting generation of Arsenal academy products, and it's made even more exciting by seeing how well the current crop of academy prospects are doing. With Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka ripping it up for Arsenal while players like Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are doing well at new clubs, there's never been a more exciting time to be coming through the academy in North London. What has his career been like so far? D...

Is Charlie Patino Arsenal's next big thing? Academy star is yet to make senior debut but is already at the heart of an international tug of war By Jack Lacey-Hatton Even in the more difficult recent years Arsenal have always been able to nurture gems from the academy into the first team. To see living proof, you only had to watch the North London Derby last Sunday, to see the impact of Emile Smith-Rowe and the brilliant Bukayo Saka, in the brilliant 3-1 win over Spurs. From Jack Wilshire and Ray Parlour to Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi, seeing players come from the youth set-step up and up make an impact with the first team is within the fabric of the club. But who will be the next star from Hale End? The next graduate to truly be a game-changer for the senior squad. Step forward Charlie Patino.  For those that don’t know, he is highly rated 17-year-old who came very close to a debut in the Carabao Cup against Wimbledon last month. But just how good is he? Who is Patino? Born in W...