Arteta Eyes Teen Sensation Max Dowman as Arsenal Face Injury Crisis
As Arsenal prepare to face Brighton in the Carabao Cup, Mikel Arteta is once again considering turning to youth — and this time, all eyes are on 15-year-old Max Dowman. With several senior players sidelined through injuries, Arteta has hinted that the teenage prodigy could be handed another opportunity to step onto the big stage.
Arteta openly admitted he is tempted to play Dowman against Brighton on Wednesday night. “When you look at what he does in training, you have to play him,” he said, showing genuine belief in the youngster’s abilities. Dowman, who has already made a couple of Premier League appearances earlier this season, made quite an impression during pre-season. His confidence, composure, and creativity with the ball have stood out, making him one of the most talked-about young talents at Arsenal right now.
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His development, however, is being handled with extreme care. Arsenal have laid out a clear path for him — similar to the one crafted for Ethan Nwaneri — to balance his growth between the youth setup, training with the senior team, and occasional first-team minutes. Just last week, Dowman was an unused substitute during Arsenal’s Champions League win over Athletic Bilbao, but that alone showed the faith Arteta already has in him.
The teenager’s story is remarkable. Having joined the club as a five-year-old, Dowman has practically grown up in the Arsenal system. He signed scholarship terms last week, with a professional contract expected to follow when he turns 17. According to Arteta, the youngster’s passion for the club is undeniable. “He loves it here,” the manager said. “His family is really happy with how things are going, and hopefully, he’ll stay with us for many years.”
Arsenal’s current injury list makes Dowman’s potential inclusion even more likely. Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Noni Madueke are all unavailable, leaving the Gunners short of attacking options. William Saliba is also out with an ankle issue, adding to Arteta’s selection headache. The manager acknowledged the problem, saying, “In the front line, that’s where we have more difficulties. We have to be careful because we don’t have many options.”
Still, Arteta insists that youth will only be played when the timing is right. “If we looked at his passport every day, we’d never play him,” he joked, acknowledging the fine balance between managing Dowman’s age and his exceptional talent.
As Arsenal take on Brighton, the spotlight may once again shine on a 15-year-old whose journey from academy dreamer to first-team reality could become one of the most exciting stories in English football this season.
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