Mikel Arteta has revealed his carefully considered plan for Arsenal's rising star, Max Dowman. The 15-year-old winger is poised to gain further first-team exposure, with Arteta determined to nurture his talent while managing the pressures of his burgeoning career.
Dowman's potential is undeniable, with Arteta admitting he would be "blind" to ignore his contributions in training. The young talent recently featured in Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup third round on September 24 and has also made Premier League appearances against Leeds and Liverpool.
Arteta is keen to strike a balance, ensuring Dowman's development is carefully managed. "If we looked at his passport every day we would never play him, simple as that," Arteta stated. "But when you look at what he does in training you have to play him - if not you are blind, or I'm blind". The Arsenal manager emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing the load on the youngster, considering the significant changes in his life. So far, Dowman has coped well with the demands.
At 15 years and 234 days, Dowman became the second-youngest player to represent Arsenal, only behind teammate Ethan Nwaneri. Dowman's performances have sparked excitement among fans, and Arteta is eager to harness his potential.
Arteta isn't overly concerned about other clubs potentially luring Dowman away before he can sign a professional contract. Dowman has already agreed to scholarship terms with Arsenal, but can't sign a professional deal until he turns 17. Despite this, Arteta is confident that Dowman is happy at Arsenal and envisions his future with the club. He stated that everything he has heard from the player and his family has been very positive. Arteta believes that Dowman genuinely loves playing for Arsenal, is a huge supporter of the club, and his family is happy with his development.
Dowman has been training with the first-team squad, and Arsenal has designed a specific development plan for him. Although he has featured for the first team three times this season and could be in the squad for the Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Brighton, Arteta is mindful of managing his minutes.
Dowman's impressive pre-season performances also suggest a bright future. Despite his young age, he exhibits composure, creativity, and attacking flair beyond his years. After a series of electrifying pre-season performances, Arteta confirmed that Dowman would be given a brief break. When questioned about Dowman's chances of playing in the Premier League, Arteta said to wait and see how things progress. He emphasized Dowman needed a break, as he hadn't had any holidays.
Dowman's statistics from the pre-season further highlight his talent. In a game against Villarreal, he had 27 touches, attempted 15 passes with 13 of them finding their mark, and completed three of his eight dribble attempts. He also earned his second penalty of the summer during the Villarreal clash, having previously earned a penalty against Newcastle.
Arteta acknowledges the rapid pace of Dowman's development, noting that he was showcasing similar skills in training last year. The Arsenal boss is excited about Dowman's potential to make a significant impact, emphasizing that he deserves opportunities and that his progress will determine what happens next.
