Max Dowman is back in the squad.placeholder image
Max Dowman is back in the squad. | Getty Images
Mikel Arteta continues to be without the services of Max Dowman despite the player returning to training this week.
Arsenal remain without the services of teenage superstar Max Dowman against Wigan Athletic this afternoon, despite promising signs that the midfielder could make his long awaited return on Sunday afternoon.
It’s been a breakthrough season for the 16-year-old, who made his debut against Leeds United in August. At the time, Dowman became the Premier League’s second youngest player in history, behind teammate Ethan Nwaneri.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has used the youngster sparingly so far this term but he has made five first team appearances and looked the real deal when afforded minutes with the first team. Dowman picked up an assist on his debut against Leeds United - being labelled as ‘incredible’ by Arteta after that outing.
The midfielder hasn’t been in the squad since the end of November having injured his ankle in December. However, images of the player in full first team training were shared by the club this week ahead of taking on Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup today.
Max Dowman returns to Arsenal squad
That had led to speculation that Dowman could make his return on Sunday ahead of a crucial part of the season for Arsenal with the club still in with a chance of winning the quadruple. The Gunners sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League, have booked a place in the Carabao Cup final and are also still in the Champions League, as well as the FA Cup.
After facing Wigan Athletic today, Arsenal travel to Wolves on Wednesday night and then feature in North London derby action against Tottenham Hotspur away from home next weekend. Arteta will no doubt hope to have the teenager available for those matches, even if he is still not fit enough to feature today.
Speaking about what makes the player so special following his Champions League debut against Slavia Prague earlier this season, Arteta said: “What he's done on the pitch - he comes in, the first ball he takes is he takes people on, he starts to dribble and gets a foul. That's personality, that's courage - and you cannot teach that. You have it or you don't.
"And it doesn't matter what his passport says. You throw him in this context and he is able to adapt and have a good performance."
In other news, Alan Shearer names Arsenal player who looks 'lost' under Mikel Arteta.
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