Max Dowman's scintillating pre-season performances have put Mikel Arteta in an unenviable position. Whichever way the Arsenal boss turns, criticism is bound to follow. If he throws the 15-year-old straight into first-team action this season and it backfires, he will be accused of jumping the gun. If he takes a careful approach and puts him back with the youth teams, he will be accused of overlooking a talent who, during this recent run of friendlies, has arguably been the Gunners' best attacker.
It may ultimately boil down to the question of whether, mentally and physically, Dowman is ready. The Arsenal players who shared a pitch with him in Wednesday night's defeat to Villarreal certainly made their feelings known.
The relentless rate at which they fed Dowman the ball told its own story. More than anything it highlighted the trust they have in his ability. And his capacity to cope with playing in front of a packed home stadium. He was only on the pitch for half an hour but by the time the final whistle blew he had put together a highlight reel of eye-catching moments including several mazy runs and a clever flick to win a penalty.
He showed more than the man he came on for, Bukayo Saka, in half the amount of playing time. And that was only possible because Arsenal players gave him the ball time and time again.
Even with his opposite number in close proximity, on one occasion Dowman received the ball from Jurrien Timber, darted inside and kept possession despite being pounced on by three players.
And it carried on much the same. With Arsenal chasing the game they repeatedly looked to the 15-year-old to drag them back into it, and he nearly succeeded.
So whether the issue of Dowman being ready is clear to Arteta yet or not, it certainly seems to be for the Arsenal players. And the manager will have to factor that in when deciding whether to include the starlet in his first-team plans for the campaign ahead.
Arteta famously gave Ethan Nwaneri his senior debut at the age of 15, but it wasn't until well over a year later that he started getting regular games. It remains to be seen whether he takes a similar approach with the next wonderkid on the Hale End conveyor belt.
Dowman doesn't turn 16 until New Year's Eve but he has been playing at age groups well above himself throughout his youth career. It won't be long before we find out when he will make the final step.