Mikel Arteta believes Max Dowman is one of the best talents he has seen after the 16-year-old signed his pre-contract agreement with Arsenal and ended speculation that the big European clubs could try and snatch him away from the Emirates.
At 15 years and 234 days, Dowman became the second-youngest player to represent the Gunners and the second-youngest to play in the Premier League – with team-mate Nwaneri, currently on loan at Marseille, holding both records.
In November, he became the youngest player to feature in a Champions League game when he made a substitute appearance in the 3-0 win at Slavia Prague. And Arsenal were desperate to make sure that Dowman was signed up to a contract before he received offers from elsewhere.
And after seeing the young man put pen to paper, Arteta believes Max Dowman is one of the best talents he has seen, Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Leeds for a second time this season, Mikel was quick to praise Max for his incredible progress so far.
He said: “It’s a proud moment to see him yesterday signing that deal in front of his family and his loved ones. Big credit to everybody that’s been involved in that journey with him, to bring him all the way to the first team and especially the manner that they’ve done it.
“Now we have an amazing talent that, day-by-day, I think we need to shape because there’s so much there.”
“Certainly one of the best,” he added. “What he’s done with us at the age of 15.
“Me personally, I haven’t seen it before. Only with a guy who used to play in Barcelona, but maybe not even that. He certainly has, not only that, he has a certain charisma as well and personality that 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 fact that we have very good examples [of academy players in the first team] is very helpful. Then it’s down, not only the players as well, but the family as well because obviously they’re a crucial part of their education and their development and we are very responsible of that.
“He’s been great. He’s got a great family. The communication between us has been very, very productive over the years. Now I think they trust what we’re going to do with him and now it’s down to him and us to build an amazing career with him.”
IcFootballnews Says…
There is alot of excitement around Dowman, the lad is showing some great potential and if he is able to keep his feet on the ground and not let all the hype go to his head, he could be a huge success like many players before him.
ARSENAL have a proud history of bringing some of the games best talents into the first team and turning them into quality players, and Dowman is the man that Arsenal believe could go on and become as success as Bukayo Saka has been over the past few seasons.
But one thing is for certain, Dowman is at the right club to develop into the player many believe he will become.
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