Arteta confirms 15-year-old Max Dowman in contention for Arsenal squad
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that 15-year-old midfielder Max Dowman will be considered for the club’s Premier League squads this season.
Arteta stopped short of saying whether Dowman would feature against Manchester United on Sunday but praised the teenager’s rapid progress and readiness to step up.
Arteta confirmed Dowman will train with the first team but stressed his development must be carefully managed. We’ll have to manage his development carefully, his next steps, and we’re fully connected with everyone involved to achieve that,” Arteta said.
Dowman caught the eye on Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Asia, delivering lively substitute performances against AC Milan and Newcastle. Despite not turning 16 until December, he has already been integrated into the first-team setup, having joined the squad on their warm-weather training camp in Dubai last February.
Arteta, a clear admirer of the young midfielder, believes Dowman is on the verge of first-team minutes.
“We need to give him the platform, the time, and the environment he needs. I’m sure he’ll push for opportunities with us,” the Arsenal boss added.
While Dowman is eligible to play in the Premier League and domestic cup competitions, he cannot appear in the Champions League until after his 16th birthday.
After an eye-catching pre-season, the teenager now faces the challenge of building on his momentum as Arsenal competes on four fronts this campaign.
