After years of watching Arsenal legend Ian Wright on Match of the Day, the pundit has now called time on his long stint.
Wright announced his emotional departure this weekend, with this season being his last on the show.
And as a result, the Arsenal legend must be very excited to get a lot of his Saturday afternoons back.
That being said, Wright has already been discussing how he plans to spend that time.
And when talking on his podcast ‘Wrighty’s House’ he confessed that he’d love to go and watch more 3pm football games.
Moreover, Wright particularly wanted to go and watch the likes of Arsenal’s Charlie Patino out on loan, who he’s only been watching through highlights.
Wright said: “When you speak to players, even on Instagram, like Charlie Patino.
“I’ve been promised Charlie, I want to go and watch him. You speak to them. And I want to watch them.”
And a trip down to Wales to watch Patino for Swansea City right now certainly shouldn’t be a wasted one.
That being said, the Arsenal youngster has fallen to the bench of late.
Ian Wright excited to watch Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino who is currently on loan
Despite two goals in his last four games, Patino has often sat on the bench since the start of November.
The 20-year-old is a fine player, one making a lot of progress, but he’s struggling to nail down a permanent role right now.
This has been met with bemusement by a lot of Swansea fans, who recognise Patino’s rich potential
And unsurprisingly the Arsenal fans following his progress do agree.
It does seem as if this will be a crucial season for Patino with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta watching on, and perhaps Wright will think the same.
Patino seemed very close to departing The Emirates in the summer,
Only to stay and then head out on this loan.
And although he’s not always been starting regularly this season, his strong moments perhaps means Arteta won’t need to make one big signing next summer.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy is another Arsenal youngster in a very similar position.
The full-back has been brilliant during his loan spell at Millwall recently,
But there’s still no guarantees over his Arsenal future.
Either way, it does bode very well that these Hale End academy graduates are enjoying successful loan spells in a division as competitive as the Championship.
