Forget Martin Zubimendi, Gary Lineker says another ‘amazing’ Arsenal star impressed him in pre-season

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Arsenal have returned from their pre-season tour of Asia and will now step up their preparations for the new campaign back in N5.

The Gunners spent almost two weeks in Singapore and Hong Kong, playing three friendly matches in front of their fans in these respective countries.

Tottenham beat Arsenal 1-0 on Thursday, breaking Mikel Arteta’s side’s unbeaten run, after they had claimed victories over AC Milan and Newcastle.

Back in North London, Arteta’s outfit now face Villarreal and Athletic Club at the Emirates this week, before kicking off their Premier League campaign away at Manchester United on August 17th.

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Gary Lineker was impressed by Max Dowman during Arsenal’s pre-season

While fitness will have been his main priority over the course of the pre-season tour, Arteta will also have been hoping for his new signings to seamlessly integrate and impress in some of the friendly fixtures.

Martin Zubimendi excelled against Newcastle, dictating the tempo of the game from the base of the midfield.

The Spaniard looked at home in the Gunners’ system, while his understudy Christian Norgaard also impressed.

However, another player arguably stood out more than anyone else during all three games, with 15-year-old Max Dowman stealing the headlines with a trio of exceptional cameo displays.

Gary Lineker was particularly enthused by Dowman’s performances, describing the teenage sensation as ‘amazing’.

“I mean, everyone’s talking about this 15-year-old boy,” Lineker said on the Rest is Football podcast.

“Max Dowman. I mean, he’s been featuring in some of the friendlies. I saw him playing the game against your lot, Alan. It was Newcastle, wasn’t it?

“I mean, boy, oh boy. I mean, he was some amazing stuff. He looks like a man already, and he’s got so much talent.”

As good as he’s been, Dowman isn’t expected to feature regularly for Arsenal next season, with the Gunners taking a cautious approach to integrating him into senior football.

Ethan Nwaneri’s development should be prioritised over Max Dowman’s next season

Dowman has a huge future at Arsenal, but he should still be deemed a long-term prospect.

He won’t turn 16 until December, and there’s no need to rush him into senior football before he’s ready.

Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri has already spent a season in the first team, making 26 Premier League appearances last term.

The 18-year-old’s development should be prioritised over Dowman’s, as he’s more likely to be able to contribute consistently next season.

Both players operate in a similar area of the pitch, capable of playing as a right-sided number eight or as a right winger.

This could eventually cause complications as the two attempt to break into the first team while Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka occupy these roles.

For now, Nwaneri needs to play regular minutes to realise his full potential, and this year will be huge for him after an encouraging debut campaign in the senior set-up.