Charlie Patino and Zane Monlouis signed professional contracts with Arsenal on Wednesday, after they both turned 17 recently.

Zane Monlouis signs his 1st pro contract with Arsenal with Academy Director Per Mertesacker. Arsenal Training Ground. London Colney, Herts, 16/10/20. Credit : Arsenal Football Club / David Price.
Zane Monlouis signs his 1st pro contract with Arsenal with Academy Director Per Mertesacker. Arsenal Training Ground. London Colney, Herts, 16/10/20. Credit: Arsenal Football Club / David Price.

Arsenal confirmed the contract extensions of Zane Monlouis and Charlie Patino on professional deals on Wednesday after they both recently became old enough to sign them. Monlouis turned 17 on October 16th, whilst Patino’s birthday was one day later.

This makes both eligible to join Arsenal’s Europa League squad. As we mentioned in our recent post, the club can add u21s with professional deals to the EL squad at any time, as long as they’ve been at the club for at least two years.

Whether they’ll actually play is an entirely different matter, but you never know. Monlouis would actually become the only u21 centre-back in that squad, thanks to all the recent loan moves away.

Patino is certainly a big talent, and a good one to get tied down to a professional deal. He’s impressing with the Arsenal u18s in midfield, and he recently got a call-up to the England u18s as well.

His close control and passing from deeper in midfield often earn him comparisons to a young Jack Wilshere. But there’s a way to go for him to reach the first team yet.

As for Monlouis, he’s also a regular for club and country. He made 12 appearances for the u18s last season and he’s made multiple appearances for the England u17s.

He’s a relatively tall defender with good potential, though he hasn’t featured much this season, reportedly due to injury. The u18s could use him with their current defensive issues.

Regardless, it’s great to see the two youngsters committing their future.