Arsenal were held by Como on Wednesday night as Cesc Fabregas's side impressed - and the former Gunner was full of praise for teenager Max Dowman
Cesc Fabregas was full of praise for Arsenal's academy stars, but insists they need minutes
Cesc Fabregas was full of praise for Arsenal's academy stars, but insists they need minutes(Image: HaytersTV)
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Cesc Fabregas has joked with Arsenal that his Como side are more than happy to take some of their players if it would help Max Dowman to develop further.
The teenage sensation, who became the Premier League's youngest ever scorer last season, got a chance to impress during Arsenal's final pre-season outing against the Italian side at the Emirates.
They are managed by Fabregas, who came through in north London as a teenager, so knows the challenges that will face Dowman in a star-studded outfit. He was hugely impressed by what the youngster offered but made it known to him that he will endure difficult periods during his career.
His greatest challenge currently is getting the minutes he desires. Whether he plays central or out wide, Arsenal have huge depth which means the 16-year-old's opportunities could be limited, with Fabregas confessing that his talent needs to be harnessed - and he's more than happy to help.
The Como boss said: "It's amazing because that's what it's all about. Hale end does an amazing job, there is a lot of talent, but if you don't play this talent, if you don't trust these talents, the talent gets lost. And that's a big shame.
"So I had the chance to say well done to them but keep going, keep pushing yourself because its a big and long career full of ups and downs. They need to accept that not everything will be easy. They need to compete, the play for one of the best clubs and team in the world right now, where even Max, with the talent he's got, its a challenge.
"Its not easy to play at Arsenal because in your position there are some of the best players in the world. So really but, and if they want to give us some players as well, we can take them."
Max Dowman was given another opportunity against Como
Max Dowman was given another opportunity against Como
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Arsenal's line-up featured another academy graduate in Marli Salmon, who came into the defence, and Arteta said: "They played really well. They played with a lot of personality, really connected with the team and against a really good opponent. I think they performed really well.
Arteta and Arsenal's focus will now shift to Sunday's showdown with Manchester City in the season's curtain-raiser, the Community Shield, which will played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff rather than at Wembley.
He said: "We're looking forward to it. It's a trophy that reflects what we've done in the previous season, winning the Premier League. So we're going to try and win."
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