Arsenal have been in exceptional form as they currently hold a four-point lead atop of Premier League points table after nine league games.
Mikel Arteta will now shift his focus on the EFL Cup as the Gunners are all set to host Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, October 29.
Arsenal fans get extremely excited in such cup fixtures as it opens up opportunities for younger academy graduates like Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman and others.
Dowman is expected to feature for Arsenal in this fourth-round EFL Cup clash after being left out of the club’s U21 squad for the weekend.
The last time the 15-year-old featured for the senior team was in their third-round win over Port Vale back in September 24.
He also made some cameo appearances for Arsenal in their 5-0 win over Leeds United and 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Overall, Arsenal fans are itching to see more of Dowman as he has shown enough qualities to flourish for the senior team, but Arteta is keen to not rush his progress.
He is eager to strike a balance as he continues to plan the teenager’s development. “If we looked at his passport every day we would never play him, simple as that,” Arteta told to the reporters ahead of the EFL Cup clash. “But when you look at what he does in training you have to play him – if not you are blind, or I’m blind.
“So it is finding a balance, an understanding, especially the load, the things that are changing in his life, and make sure he can cope with that. So far, he has done that.
“He is 15 years old, still growing, a lot of things we have to make sure are under control to make sure he develops in the way he can do.”
Arteta is unbothered about other clubs showing interest in Dowman
Dowman has impressed several scouts all over Europe and therefore plenty of clubs have shown interest in his development.
The England U-19 international has reached an agreement with Arsenal over scholarship terms which will begin from next season.
He could pre-agree a professional contract with the Gunners once he turns 17 as Arteta and the management are desperate to keep the teenage playmaker at the club.
Dowman became the second youngest player to represent Arsenal at the age of 15 years and 234 days when he came on against Leeds. He is only behind teammate Nwaneri.
“That’s what we all want and I think what he wants as well, after that it is more for Andrea (Berta, sporting director) and the club,” said Arteta, who is expected to start Dowman against the Seagulls.
“But the feeling that I have is that genuinely he loves it here. He is a huge Arsenal supporter, and his family are really happy with the way things are developing around him as well.
“Hopefully for many years he will be with us. Everything that I hear from the player, and the family has been very positive.”
Arsenal news and related links
