Ahead of Arsenal's trip to Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday, Arteta gave Dowman, arguably, the highest of compliments by comparing the Gunners youngster to a teenage Messi when he was breaking through at Barcelona. Arteta was at the Spanish club when the Argentine joined the Blaugrana in 2001. It wasn't until 2004 when a 17-year-old Messi got his chance to shine in the first team, with the attacker requiring growth hormones at 14. From there, he went on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Arteta said of Dowman: "He is certainly one of the best What he’s done with us at the age of 15, personally, I haven’t seen it before. Only with a guy [Messi] that used to play in Barcelona, but maybe not even that. He has a certain charisma as well and a personality that doesn’t get overwhelmed by the situation, the stadium or the opposition. That’s a huge quality to have. He’s got a great family, they trust what we’re going to do with him, and now it’s down to him and us to build an amazing career."