Gabriel Agbonlahor predicts how many games Max Dowman will actually play for Arsenal this season

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Max Dowman has dominated the headlines at Arsenal during this pre-season.

Indeed, Dowman has been incredibly impressive during this period, he’s shone in both of the Gunners’ pre-season friendlies so far, and Dowman’s pace has impressed many too.

However, at the age of just 15, we do have to be careful about the weight of expectation attached to this young man.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Gabriel Agbonlahor has been discussing Max Dowman’s progression, and he’s made an interesting prediction about the midfielder heading into this season.

Gabriel Agbonlahor makes Max Dowman prediction

Agbonlahor spoke about Dowman’s first-team chances heading into the new season.

According to the pundit, Dowman may not play a single game for Arsenal this season, claiming that competition for places in the Arsenal squad is simply too much.

“He’s an attacking midfielder isn’t he? Off the flank as well? You look at what they have, Martinelli and Trossard on the left, Saka and Madueke on the right, Gyokeres, Havertz and Jesus up front, then in midfield, Odegaard, Rice, Nwaneri and Merino,” Agbonlahor said.

“He has some top players there to try and get some gametime. If you look at Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Madueke or Trossard, they might also need the Carabao Cup for gametime.

“Maybe we don’t see him next season at all, that’s what I imagine will happen. But if he is good enough and if Arteta has some injuries, and he’s on the bench for a Carabao Cup game, and he comes on, I don’t have any problem with that. If you’re old enough you’re ready.”

Max Dowman’s first-team pathway analysed

As Agbonlahor says, Arsenal’s squad is bloated at the moment, and Dowman’s path to first-team football is not incredibly clear.

Indeed, as talented as this 15-year-old is, there are senior players in Mikel Arteta’s side who are competing for starting spots, and it’s going to be tough for Dowman to break in at this point.

Of course, at just 15 years old, the youngster very much has time on his side, but, for this upcoming season, he may have to settle for youth football.

Dowman may well eventually become a star at Arsenal, but, as the old saying goes, patience is a virtue.