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Max Dowman is Arsenal's future. And while Mikel Arteta has been hesitant to make promises about the young lad, the ticking time bomb has worked in the Gunners' favor. Now, Arteta has made a promise to play him more.
It truly is hard to believe that Max Dowman is just 15 years old. It feels like we've been saying that forever, but he really is just 15 years old.
Dowman was actually born on the final day of 2009, so for the remainder of this calendar year (not to alarm you, but there are only two months and change left), he can break records and set a new standard for academy graduates.
Mikel Arteta wants to give Max Dowman more playing time
For weeks, months even, Arsenal fans have been screaming at Mikel Arteta to give Dowman more minutes. Naturally, Arteta hesitated, wanting to protect the youngster from the limelight and all of the pressures that come with it. Well, now, Arsenal fans are getting their wish.
In his own words, Mikel Arteta said: “When you look at Max Dowman in training, you have to play him - if not, you are blind, or I’m blind. The feeling that I have is that, genuinely, he loves it here. He’s a huge Arsenal supporter, and his family is also. Hopefully, for many years, he will be with us”.
Mikel Arteta will still be careful with giving Dowman too many minutes. He saw firsthand, when he was Arsenal captain, how many Arsenal youngsters were ruined in the early stages of their careers due to injuries. This is something he will want to avoid with Dowman.
Arsenal fans have seen this with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly
In many ways, Arsenal fans expect this, and they are fine with it. A similar path was already created for Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. The duo is now used sparingly, not only due to intense competition for the starting lineup but also due to preserving their fitness.
Tonight, Arsenal faces Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup. Since this is a competition that Arteta has always taken less seriously than other competitions, there is every chance that Dowman could get a place in the team tonight.
Arsenal fans would certainly love to see the youngster get a runout. It would be the perfect opportunity to add to his momentum and a real sign of intent from Arteta. He would essentially be confirming to Max that he, and everyone at Arsenal, rides with him.