Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Max Dowman will ‘probably’ be involved with the senior squad in pre-season.
The 15-year-old midfielder excelled for Arsenal U18s this campaign and also made his debut for the U21s.
Dowman, who has often trained with the Arsenal first-team, is currently representing England at the U17 European Championship.
Arteta added that several other youngsters will be involved with the first-team this summer and expressed hope that the club will receive another ‘beautiful surprise’ as they did with the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
As reported by [Hayters TV](https://hayters.com/arteta-confirms-arsenal-youngster-will-join-first-team-for-pre-season/), Arteta said: ‘I think Max probably will be in and around the pre-season.
‘Obviously he’s got a very busy schedule in the summer as well and he’s going to need some rest.
‘We’ll pick another few from the academy to be in and around the team and hopefully we’ll get a nice beautiful surprise again.’
The likes of Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Jack Henry-Francis, Jimi Gower and Michal Rosiak have all been called up to the first-team this season, although several of those players are nearing the end of their contracts.
Defenders Maldini Kacurri and Brayden Clarke have also previously been called up, with Kacurri having gained some experience on loan at Bromley even though he didn’t play as often as he would have liked. Will Sweet, who is expected to sign his first professional contract this summer, has impressed for the U21s.
Forward Andre Harriman-Annous, who has received his first callup to the England U18 squad, could be in contention to be involved with the Arsenal first-team in pre-season.
Wingers Ismeal Kabia and Charles Sagoe Jr both have competitive senior appearances for Arsenal to their name, as does right-back Josh Nichols, who has been out for several months due to injury.
Goalkeeper Alexei Rojas is set for some involvement with the senior squad having effectively been fourth-choice this season.
There may be one or two unexpected selections, with midfielders Ife Ibrahim and Louie Copley perhaps aiming to demonstrate their credentials. Defender Marli Salmon, who has impressed for the U18s as a schoolboy, is also very highly rated.
So far Arsenal have announced three first-team pre-season friendlies, all of which will take place in Asia – they will face AC Milan, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur.