Arsenal have been dealt a fresh injury blow as the Gunners have announced that Max Dowman picked up an ankle injury while playing for the under-21s this weekend.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta did not include the 15-year-old in the squad that travelled to Aston Villa on Saturday when the Emirates Stadium club suffered a 2-1 defeat.
Dowman was with the under-21s on the same day, weighing in with a goal as they ran out 3-0 winners over their Manchester United counterparts at St George’s Park in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
Unfortunately, the teenage sensation has picked up a knock and will not be available for the time being.
As a result, Arsenal have replaced him with Gabriel Jesus in their UEFA A list and he is eligible to play against Club Brugge in Belgium on Wednesday.
Dowman will be added to their UEFA B list in January, but will not be permitted to play in any UEFA competitions for 60 days from today.
He has made five appearances across all competitions and has been a constant threat when on the pitch.
The Hale End academy graduate made his Premier League debut in August, coming on as a substitute against Leeds United to become the second youngest player in the league’s history at 15 years and 235 days.
Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest ever starter in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup against Brighton & Hove Albion aged 15 years and 302 days in October.
He would have been looking forward to playing more games during the busy festive period, but he could have played his last game for the year from the look of things.
Arsenal have been dealt several injury blows all season and will be praying none of their top players pick up knocks going forward.
Being without centre-back pairing Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba against Villa proved costly, with the North Londoners convinced they would have won had they been available.