Mikel Arteta in Arsenal training.
Mikel Arteta has raved about one of his Arsenal players. (Image: Getty Images)
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Mikel Arteta has hailed Max Dowman as showing greater early promise than a young Lionel Messi after the 16-year-old prodigy pledged his long-term future to Arsenal. Dowman has agreed terms with the Gunners, which will see him put pen to paper on a professional contract when he celebrates his 17th birthday on December 31.
The midfielder made his debut in Arsenal's 5-0 thrashing of Leeds in August, aged just 15 years and 234 days, before becoming the north London outfit's youngest ever starter in their Carabao Cup victory over Brighton. His development has been disrupted by an ankle problem that has sidelined him for almost two months, limiting him to just five outings this campaign.
Related articles
However, Arteta, who was at Barcelona during Messi's formative years, is expecting remarkable achievements once the teenager returns to fitness.
When questioned about where Dowman ranked amongst academy prospects he had witnessed progressing through the system, he responded: "Well, certainly one of the best.
"What he has done with us, me personally, I haven't seen before. Only with a guy that used to play in Barcelona – but maybe not even that.
"He has a certain charisma as well and personality. He doesn't get overwhelmed, whether it's by the situation or the stadium or the opposition and that's a huge quality to have.
"The communication between us has been very, very productive over the years. It's now down to him and us to build an amazing career."
Beyond Dowman's absence, Arteta will have a fully fit squad available for Saturday's crucial Premier League clash at Leeds, though the Spaniard has called for an expansion of matchday squads.
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Mikel Arteta, Max Dowman and Per Mertesacker.
Mikel Arteta, Max Dowman and Per Mertesacker after the teenager signed fresh terms. (Image: Getty)
He said: "At the moment there are two or three players that I have to leave out. These are the rules of the Premier League.
"I beg them, like it is in the Champions League, (to change it), because it's much better to manage the squad, to maintain the value of the players and to maintain the mental health of the players.
"We have a really unique job, which is the ability to transform somebody's life, career. But every week we have to tell somebody, 'Tomorrow you don't do your job and you're not even allowed to travel with the team'.
"Tell me a job that you have do that? I don't go to the kitchen and say to two of the chefs, 'Today you don't cook, just go home'. The demands on games are bigger so we need bigger squads and it doesn't make a lot of sense to restrict that."
With Arsenal holding a four-point advantage over Manchester City, Arteta maintained he can preserve his close bond with Pep Guardiola despite the intensifying title race.
Arteta, who served as Guardiola's assistant at City for three years, said: "I don't talk (with him) like my wife, but we talk.
"For me, the surprising thing would be to not (maintain that relationship). And it would set a really bad example for sport.
"The biggest lesson sport has given us was the relationship that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer had. We are not at that level. But they were two of the best in history, even though they had to play in finals.
"So how the hell am I not going to have a great relationship with someone that I admire? But when it goes to the court, or to the pitch, that's for the winner."