Where Max Dowman could play for Arsenal this season as Mikel Arteta works on plan for teenage prodigy | OneFootball

Excitement growing around 15-year-old who is being tipped for a big future

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Arteta may have similar designs when it comes to Max Dowman’s development - and rightly so, given the midfielder is just 15.

But managing the growing excitement around Dowman will be difficult, especially after his performance against AC Milan on Wednesday.

Dowman made an impact off the bench as Arsenal beat AC Milan in Singapore

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Dowman impressed during his first taste of senior football, coming off the bench midway through the second half.

Deployed on the right wing, he looked composed on the ball, skipping past defenders on more than one occasion.

“I’m very happy with all the kids,” said Arteta, who also brought on another 15-year-old, Marli Salmon, at centre-back.

“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. Incredible, how at 15 years old they can perform at that level.”

Arsenal players are said to have been blown away by Dowman’s talent

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Dowman has long been tipped for a big future. At just 13, he became the youngest player to represent Arsenal Under-18s.

A year later, he was playing for Arsenal Under-21s and scoring for England Under-17s.

Last September, he became the youngest player ever to score in the UEFA Youth League. He finished the season with 19 goals and five assists in 23 games for Arsenal youth teams.

Arteta explained he will devise a development plan after speaking with Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker, and the club boasts a strong track record of developing young players.

Arteta faces a nice headache over how to handle Dowman’s development

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Dowman routinely trained with the first team last season, even going on their mid-season trip to Dubai, and he will most likely continue to do so this year, while playing for Arsenal Under-21.

The intriguing question is whether Dowman will play for the first team at all and, if he does, where?

After the 1-0 win over Milan, Arteta was coy about how much Dowman would be involved.

If Dowman is to get some first-team minutes this season - possibly in the Carabao Cup - then out on the right wing could be his best bet.

Dowman has come through the Arsenal academy as a No10 or No8, but given his age such a role would surely be too physically demanding in senior football.

Brought on out on the right flank against Milan, there was more space for Dowman to operate in and make his mark. It is a path many young players have taken before - starting their career out wide before shifting to a central role.

Dowman was also helped out on the right by having Martin Odegaard inside him. The Arsenal captain was able to give tactical advice, telling him when to press opposing defenders or drop off.

Odegaard himself could be a valuable sounding board for Dowman, given his own history of being a teenage wonderkid.

Dowman’s emergence is also intriguing for Arsenal as it means they are now stacked for talent in that area of the pitch. Dowman, Ethan Nwaneri and Odegaard are all left-footed playmakers that like to operate as right No8s.

It is a luxurious headache for Arteta and one that, right now, does not need solving. Dowman is still so young and taking the very first steps in his career.

The early signs, however, are incredibly positive and it will be interesting to see how many more minutes Dowman gets during the rest of pre-season.

Arteta has astutely nurtured young talent throughout his Arsenal career and he will be wary of managing this one carefully again.