Arsenal Training Session
Martin Odegaard’s absence has handed an opportunity to Max Dowman at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Martin Odegaard has warned Max Dowman that building on his stunning Arsenal breakthrough is anything but guaranteed and has urged the record breaking teenager to keep his feet on the ground.
There are few better players in the Arsenal camp capable of providing the 16-year-old with guidance over the course of the next few months given the hype Odegaard, himself, was forced to contend with when he made his senior debut at a similar age for Stromsgodset.
An ill-fated move to Real Madrid proved to be an error that played a part in stunting his development before he resurrected his career at Real Sociedad where his form earned him a move to Arsenal.
Those difficult years should act as a cautionary tale to Dowman who enjoyed his coming of age moment in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday that sent his side further clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Hale End Academy graduate is likely to start on the bench this evening against Bayer Leverkusen and will have the sage words of his skipper ringing in his ears.
‘That was a very special end to the game against Everton on Saturday,’ said Odegaard on the win, and the dramatic finale, that put his team seven points clear of Manchester City.
‘It was another important win, and for Viktor and Max to come off the bench and score the goals at the end shows us what we’ve been speaking about all season, about how everyone is stepping up and playing their part, whether they start the game or not.
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Max Dowman
Dowman became his side’s youngest ever goal scorer (Picture: Getty)
‘What a moment that was for Max! You could see from the celebrations what it meant to everyone – coaches, players, supporters. It was something he will never forget, and neither will we!
‘The way he kept his composure wasn’t a surprise to me. We’ve trained with him for a long time already, he shows us his qualities whenever he plays, so it was great for him to get his first goal and break the record.
‘He knows it should be just the start for him and he needs to keep working how he has been.’
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Odegaard, meanwhile, is set to miss his sixth game in a row with the knee injury he aggravated during last month’s 1-1 draw at Brentford.
Arteta revealed in Monday’s pre-match press conference that the 27-year-old could yet play a part in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against City and Odegaard confirmed he is doing everything possible to ensure he is available for selection.
He said: ‘Again, I was so disappointed not to be involved in the game. I’m working hard to be back as soon as I can, and I’m feeling stronger all the time.
‘I was in the stadium on Saturday though of course, watching the game with my brother, who you might have seen on the Modern Leader documentary on the Arsenal App.
‘It’s great that the documentary is out now, because we were working on it for a long time, so I’m glad the supporters can finally watch it.
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