Arteta Tips ‘Big Talent’ Dowman, 15, as in addition to one step further with 3 to be followed

Mikel Arteta always realizes the future stars of Arsenal.

Famous, within his first week after appointed Gunners boss in December 2019, the Spaniard asked the Academy for videos of a 12-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.

9

9

Now an 18-year-old Nwaneri is a history making in a breakthrough campaign, next to Hale End Pal and England cap Myles Lewis-Skellyalso 18.

You don’t have to look too far to see the next one on the conveyor belt in North London, whereby Arteta hinted heavily that the 15-year-old midfielder Max Downman will be part of the seniors next season and is a “big, talent”.

This is hardly any news Arsenal Fans. Dowman – born in Chelmsford on December 31, 2009 – is considered one of the most exciting Academy products that are ever produced by the club, and that says something.

Declan Rice Recently he called him the “best 15-year-old in the country”, something Dowman proves every week with the Onder-18s and under 21 years old.

He currently has 12 goals and four assists in 13 games for the under-18 side.

In September he became the youngest score ever in the UEFA Youth League as a 14-year-old, before he became the youngest Premier League 2 player in December.

All of that has not gone unnoticed. Arteta has trained Dowman with the first team for the majority of this campaign and even invited him to their Dubai trip in the mid-season.

It is understood that Arteta Dowman would have already given his debut, but for Premier League rules that prohibit players that are registered for the under-16s or below to show.

9

9

9

Become a member of Sun Club for the Arsenal files every Friday plus
in -depth coverage and exclusive emirates

That will change the next term, starting with this summer’s pre-season trip to Singapore and Hong Kong in July.

Arteta recently admitted that the rise of winger Nwaneri and defender Lewis-Skelly has changed his thinking when it comes to new signing sessions.

Dowman also comes in that comparison.

The Arsenal -Baas explained: “Let’s see how this evolves, but we certainly have a great, great talent there for the near future.”

It was suggested that teenagers break through more often in the modern game, such as the Arsenal Teenage Duo and the 17-year-old genius of Barcelona Lamine Yamal.

But Arteta went against: “It is very difficult, there have not been that many. You mentioned three in Europe and we have two, so it is very, very rare.

“But now he is involved with the team. He trains a lot with us. Does that mean that he will play many matches in the Premier League?

“I don’t know, depends on how good he is and how impressive he is and how much he offers the team as Ethan, like Myles, like any other player in the team.

“He is on the right path and everyone in the academy has done an incredible work to consistently protect him, to inspire him, challenge him, always keep him awake.

“He takes the right steps and takes it slowly. He will dictate how fast we go.”

Nwaneri became the youngest Prem debutant as a 15-year-old in September 2022, but is there such a thing as too young?

9

Arteta replied: “You have to understand his age. The way you talk and communicate with him.

“But if you look from far and you don’t know he is 15 and you see certain things he does, you have to judge him about it – you wouldn’t think he was different from another player.”

There is also the balance to spend young talents and sign players who will end Arsenal their 21-year title Drought.

The Gunners are planning a huge edition this summer, especially on an elite striker.

Arteta said: “You will never do it well unless you spend Academy players and win trophies.

“If you don’t do those two things at the same time, you will never win. So both things together and we are in business.

“I love the trophies and I like to work with young players, especially those who have experienced our academy, and see them playing, because that’s a dream for everyone football club.

“The first thing we do is, what do we have in the academy? Can we look at them? Can we promote them? Can we make them the main players we need to win trophies? Do they have this mentality?

“Do you think about that period of three, four, five years after winning competitions and actually winning trophies? Or are you thinking of your own steps?

“Even if we get the best talent in Portugal for £ 50 million, £ 60 million, he comes here, maybe he has three wonderful months and then he falls for two or three months. That is part of the game.”

Arsenal’s next harvest of talent

But It is not only Max Dowman who makes a name for himself In the arsenal youth.

Here Sunsport breaks down three other young people to burst on stage soon …

Marli -Oil

9

• AGE: 15
• POSITION: Center-back
• NATIONALITY: English

Compared to William Saliba Through those in and around the Arsenal Academy he has a big leap, loves a sliding tackle and is good on the ball.

Salmon is only a year or two removed from making the step for men’s football.

Jack Porter

9

• AGE: 16
• POSITION: Keeper
• NATIONALITY: English

Made the first team debut in September in the Carabao Cupbreak records along the way.

Porter has trained with a senior team and is on the radar of Mikel Arteta. Perhaps a loan movement needs to get more experience.

Kyran Thompson

9

• AGE: 15
• POSITION: Winger/striker
• NATIONALITY: English

Compared to Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham.

Arsenal defeated Manchester City and Tottenham to sign Thompson from West ham.

Recently helped the Under-16s to the Premier League Cup.