_**Max Dowman impressed in Arsenal’s pre-season 3-2 defeat against Villarreal \[Jay Patel/SPP\]**_
MIKEL Arteta has told Arsenal fans they can expect to see more of Max Dowman this season after admitting the 15-year-old “deserves to have chances”.
Dowman is one of the most talked about teenagers in English football. And the attacking midfielder only reinforced the hype during pre-season with a series of eye-catching displays.
His latest offering came in front of a packed out Emirates crowd on Wednesday night when he came off the bench to bamboozle the Villarreal defenders – eventually winning a penalty that was converted by skipper Martin Odegaard.
Many are now predicting that Dowman’s meteoric rise will see him follow in the footsteps of teammate Ethan Nwaneri, who made his competitive debut at the same age back in 2022.
“He continues to impress, without a doubt,” said Arteta. “The impact he had in the game again today, the efficiency that he shows in every attack and action, it’s incredible. He deserves to have chances, and if he continues like this, let’s see what happens.”
While it might seem that Dowman is being fast-tracked, the reality is he’s been in and around the first-team since he was 14.
And Arteta is already pencilling his star asset in for a deserved rest.
The Gunners boss added: “Even last year when he was training with us, he was doing this kind of thing in training and now he’s doing it in the game consistently.
“The three or four games that he’s played, he’s managed to impact and have big moments in the game.
“Let’s see how it goes. He needs a little break as well because he hasn’t had any holidays really, so in the next few days he’s going to have a break which I think he needs and then he’ll probably be ready again to go.”
If Dowman does follow a similar path to Nwaneri, it’s unlikely he’ll play much of a part when Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign at Manchester United next weekend.
His immediate future probably lies with the Under-21s, although it’s clear that the youngster has already won over Arteta, the experienced players within the first-team squad and the British audiences.
Offering an insight into what the senior players think about Dowman, Arteta said: “The reaction is very clear. They have the ball, and they give it to him. That tells you how much they trust him and the relationship he’s building within the team.
“I think there’s nothing better than that. The confidence they show to make things happen and the constant connection they have with him.”
Having lost 3-2 against Villarreal, the Gunners wrap up their pre-season tomorrow (Saturday) when they tackle Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup.
Another player being tipped to soon shine is summer signing Viktor Gyokeres. The striker underwhelmed in his first start for the club against Villarreal, but Arteta didn’t seem too concerned.
He said: “I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team.
“He’s been with us only a week or so, but I really saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking certain spaces. So, in general, for a lot of players that haven’t played many minutes, we have a lot now that they’re going to be ready for Saturday and in a much better condition.
“I think mentally and understanding what he needs to do, he will be 100 per cent or more because he’s so willing and so confident that he can deliver in a positive way. I have no doubt that he will be in a really good place.”