Max Dowman has made a ‘significant’ change to his game that Mikel Arteta will absolutely love

Add as preferred source on Google

Max Dowman did not make the squad to face West Ham, but the Arsenal academy star was still in action.

Mikel Arteta has named Dowman in four of Arsenal’s first-team squads in the Premier League this season, handing the 15-year-old 27 minutes of game time so far.

The Arsenal academy product is incredibly highly rated, and for good reason, showing his quality amongst players almost twice his age.

Arteta is stunned by Dowman’s development, still struggling to comprehend that a player born in 2009 is Premier League-ready.

Max Dowman change noticed in Arsenal U21 game

Though the hype around the teenager is justified, Arsenal want to keep Dowman under wraps as he continues to navigate the life of a professional footballer and a schoolboy.

On matchday seven, Dowman wasn’t named in the Arsenal squad to face West Ham, instead playing in Arsenal U21’s 2-2 draw against West Ham U21.

Playing way beyond his years, the 15-year-old got on the scoresheet, scoring his second goal in his second Premier League 2 appearance this season.

It wasn’t only in front of goal that Dowman stood out, however, as Arsenal academy expert Jeorge Bird noticed.

On X, Bird relayed that Dowman was spotted making a ‘significant contribution defensively’ during Arsenal U21’s draw.

The Englishman made an effort to influence the game defensively as well as going forward, playing in attacking midfield.

Jack Wilshere says Arteta is playing Dowman in the wrong position when the teen features for the first team, with the playmaker at his best in the number ten role.

Dowman is doing his homework in the academy side when he’s not utilised by Arteta in the first team, something the Arsenal manager will absolutely love.

Dowman has the perfect path into the Arsenal squad

It’s not every day that a player as young as 15 is recognised as a source of threat in Arsenal’s senior team.

Dowman is a special talent and a player who will be nurtured at Arsenal, whether that be at Hale End or with Arteta’s squad.

Regardless of where the youngster is, he’s in the best possible position, being tested at U21 level while being blended into the first team.

Still only 15, there’s no pressure on Dowman to make his transition to the first team final just yet, which puts Arteta in an advantageous position too, as the teen is clearly adapting his game in preparation for the call-up.

Things are going swimmingly for Dowman, with Arsenal fans far and wide eagerly awaiting the opportunity to watch the youngster in action again.