Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Image credit: Getty Images
Micah Richards believes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may need to consider sending one of his most gifted young players, Max Dowman, out on loan to accelerate his development.
The Gunners have made a blistering start to the campaign, winning 12 of their 14 matches across all competitions, and are being widely backed to mount a serious challenge for their first Premier League title since 2004.
Arteta’s squad is brimming with quality, particularly in attack, with stars like Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Gabriel Martinelli leading the charge. But among the senior figures, 15-year-old sensation Max Dowman has begun to make a name for himself as one of the club’s brightest prospects.
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Dowman, who made his senior debut in August at just 15, has already made four appearances for the first team. He earned his first start in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup victory over Brighton on Wednesday, a performance that drew glowing praise from both Arteta and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler.
His rapid progress has not gone unnoticed abroad. Reports suggest Real Madrid have been tracking his development closely, though Arsenal are confident of keeping hold of him. The youngster is expected to sign a scholarship deal when he turns 16 in December, followed by a professional contract in 2026.
Arsenal - Max Dowman
Max Dowman (Image credit: Getty Images)
While Arteta has shown no hesitation in integrating the teenager into his senior setup, Richards believes regular playing time will be essential for Dowman’s continued growth, something that might require a loan spell.
“He’s special, isn’t he? He’s special,” the former Manchester City defender said onThe Rest is Football. “I think the difference that I see with him is that normally, you get thrown in at 15-16 because you are physically developed. And he’s not, he’s technically developed, which would say that he’s going to be something special.
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“He’s just got a window from 16 to 18 to keep developing at the same rate. And Mikel Arteta comes with these quotes, but he has to be playing also, because you can’t get 30 minutes here and then 90 minutes there, because other people are developing at a quicker rate than you would be.
“Maybe he needs to go out on loan. I know that’s maybe too early, I don’t think he can go out on loan yet at 15. He’s not going to get the game time.”
Dowman has not featured in the Premier League since his brief appearance against Liverpool in August and has been in and out of the matchday squad since then. However, the promising forward could get another opportunity to impress when Arsenal travel to Burnley on Saturday, as Arteta continues to carefully manage his emergence among one of the most competitive squads in English football.
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