Mikel Arteta hails 'incredible' Max Dowman impact in Arsenal win over AC Milan | OneFootball

Arsenal boss still called for patience with reminder that teenagers need time to adapt physically

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Mikel Arteta praised the performance of Max Dowman as Arsenal kicked off their pre-season tour of Asia by beating AC Milan.

Arsenal were 1-0 winners against AC Milan in Singapore, thanks to a goal from Bukayo Saka early in the second half.

Saka impressed during the win, along with new signing Martin Zubimendi, but Dowman also caught the eye, too.

Dowman caused Milan some problems when driving forward with the ball and Arteta praised his impact.

“I’m very happy with all the kids,” he said. “I think they are able to play at that level at 15 years old, in my opinion, because of the environment and the culture that is within the team.

“When somebody makes you feel so comfortable and so confident straightaway, you can go and do it.

“At least it gives you the best chance - and then you have to have the qualities that this kid has to deliver against opposition like this.

“There is a lot of work in our academy of the coaches, people involved, and it is a moment to give opportunities [to young players], to reward them.

“They certainly took their chance today in difficult circumstances against a very big team. [It is] incredible, how at 15 years old they can perform at that level.”

Dowman is part of the squad for Arsenal’s tour to Singapore, but he is still a schoolboy and is due to take his GCSEs next summer.

He has been tipped to make his first-team debut this season, though, such is his talent.

Arteta is unsure if that will happen and stressed the need to blood young players slowly given the physical demands of first-team football.

“We don’t know with all the young kids [how much they will play in the first team this season],” he said. “At the end, they are in and around the team constantly, and they are really getting used to the dynamics and the demands.

“And especially raising the physical levels, because the demands and actually to be able to perform and impact the game at that level, it demands really high physical standards.

“They are getting there, and that gives them a good platform, and then they will have to earn it.”