Max Dowman has been dealt a devastating blow early in his career amid hopes of an Arsenal breakthrough this season.
The 15-year-old is still very much on course to become a superstar; however, he’s been halted in his tracks by an injury.
Mikel Arteta shared an injury update on the Arsenal squad ahead of the clash with Club Brugge, stating that Dowman will miss weeks due to an ankle problem.
However, additional clarity has been shed on the situation by David Ornstein, who revealed that Dowman will miss two months with ligament damage.
If you were Mikel Arteta, how would you handle Max Dowman once he returns from injury?
Arsenal fans and rival fans react to Max Dowman’s injury
Fortunately, the playmaker is not understood to require surgery, which is a huge boost despite the terribly sad news.
On X, reaction to the injury came flooding in, with many fans relaying the same concern.
Both Arsenal fans and supporters of rival clubs were worried about how young Dowman is, questioning how early he has been tested against senior opposition.
One wrote, “This is the problem with the race to the bottom in terms of children playing men’s football. The physicality difference and expectation of first team fitness is destroying young people’s bodies and ruining their futures before they turn 25. It’s not right.”
Another referenced the implications of an early ankle injury, mentioning Jack Wilshere.
“I hope he won’t be the next Jack Wilshere, we can’t risk losing him to injuries just like we did with Jack.”
The main talking point was how, at just 15, Dowman needs additional protection due to his age and his playing style.
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!
“This is why his inclusion needed to be managed carefully; people out to ruin his career from the start,” an Arsenal fan said.
Another agreed, “2 months out, no surgery needed but still… protect this kid at all costs. Future Ballon d’Or and you lot tried to end him early.”
The discussion turned once more to mention the imbalance in duels between a schoolboy and a fully grown senior player.
“15-year-old Max Dowman just got his ankle folded in half by a grown man in a FRIENDLY and United were meant to be taking easy.”
A fellow X user stressed, “Protect players of this age! It can go south very quickly. Not everyone is built like Wayne Rooney at 16 and is like a fully fledged grown man.”
An Arsenal fan shared their opinion very bluntly, suggesting the club made a mistake by fielding Dowman in non-competitive fixtures against senior players.
“Playing pre-season and friendly games against aggressive rivals is so f—– dumb.”
Jack Wilshere had previously warned Dowman about getting into duels
It’s unsurprising that Wilshere was mentioned as fans showed their concern about Dowman’s injury.
Ironically, Wilshere had urged Dowman not to get into duels with senior players long before this incident.
“I remember saying to him: ‘Max, remember you are playing against players who are five years older than you, which is fine, but don’t get into duels, just pop it round and have one or two touches.’” Wilshere said when Dowman was 13.
The Arsenal icon noted that the daring starlet couldn’t resist taking on the opposition, immediately making an impact, shrugging away his advice.
Dowman’s talent knows no limits, but what Arteta must now enforce is a way to rein in his ability, as his playing style, by no fault of his own, lures the opposition to resort to desperate measures to stop him.
For now, Dowman will spend the remainder of the year out of action, in what is a tough blow for the teen.
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