Per Mertesacker is doing a fantastic job at overseeing the development of the rising stars at Hale End.
Mertesacker’s intelligence on the pitch has been transferred to his role in Arsenal’s academy.
The German has seen plenty of success stories from some young Gunners, with the 2024/25 season paving the way for Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri in the first team.
While the two players’ rise last term was magnificent, there’s very much a feeling from Mertesacker that the best is yet to come.
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Per Mertesacker says Max Dowman is phenomenal
Without a doubt, the biggest talent in the academy right now is Max Dowman.
Dowman has earned Lionel Messi comparisons at the age of just 15, and the most staggering thing is that they’re justified.
The teenager has shone when playing in Arsenal’s first team this season, but Mertesacker says the youngster is ‘mastering’ more challenges than the ones presented to him in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
“He’s now rightly and deservedly up there, but the challenges continue,” Mertesacker said of Dowman on Arsenal’s official podcast, The Dispatch.
“We’re excited, we have got an outstanding talent on our hands who we want to stand strong in the challenges that he faces. He is mastering them at the moment, but we will be by his side.”
If you were Mikel Arteta, how would you handle Max Dowman once he returns from injury?
Mertesacker, like many others, has been blown away by Dowman’s talent, as even Arteta can’t believe how good he is.
The former Gunners defender went on to dub the 15-year-old ‘phenomenal’, applauding his development in all aspects of his life.
“He’s been phenomenal, whether it’s for England, whether it’s for us, whether at home, whether at school, he’s doing the right thing.”
Right now, studies are at the forefront of the youngster’s mind, as Dowman will miss two months due to an ankle ligament injury.
Arsenal mustn’t consider Dowman in the first team until next season
Dowman’s injury really worried fans, as it’s a concern for a player of his age to sustain such a complex injury.
The reaction to the playmaker’s injury was almost a warning to Arteta about protecting the 2009-born star when playing against opposition twice his age.
Max Dowman has become a foul magnet at Arsenal…
Dowman was fouled three times against Newcastle in 30 minutes during pre-season!
How worried are you by the way Arsenal have been fast-tracking the 15-year-old? Have your say in the comments!
Dowman will be out of action until the early months of 2025, but it has to be pondered whether his time in the first team this season should be revisited next term.
After sustaining ligament damage, it might be wise for Arsenal to manage Dowman’s minutes in the academy rather than exposing him to senior football, where the risk of being hurt increases.
The forward’s playing style makes him more susceptible to being fouled, magnifying the importance of protecting him against another significant injury early in his career.
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