Arsenal were held by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, in a game which saw former Gunners player Ayden Heaven make his Premier League debut.
Bruno Fernandes gave the Red Devils the lead on the stroke of half-time, expertly converting a free-kick from the edge of the box.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side fought back, as Declan Rice salvaged a point with an emphatic finish from a Jurrien Timber cut-back.
Heaven replaced Leny Yoro at the break for the Red Devils and helped secure the home team an unlikely point with a resolute cameo performance.
Max Dowman and Chido Obi respond to Ayden Heaven’s Premier League debut
Heaven joined Manchester United in January, rejecting a new contract from Arsenal in the process.
It’s understood that Heaven believed there was a clearer pathway to first-team football at United than at the Emirates, explaining his decision to jump ship.
This has now been vindicated, as the youngster made his Premier League debut on Sunday afternoon against his former club.
The left-footed central defender replaced Yoro at half-time and impressed as United kept Arsenal at bay for much of the second period.
Posting on Instagram, Heaven shared a series of pictures from his first appearance in the English top flight, with the caption #premierleague.
Chido Obi, who left also left Arsenal this season for United, responded to the post with a heart emoji.
Meanwhile, Hale End starlet Max Dowman commented two fire emojis underneath the post.
Despite leaving his boyhood club for direct rivals, it appears there’s no love lost between Dowman and Heaven, who would’ve spent plenty of time together in Arsenal’s various youth teams.
Arsenal need to ensure Max Dowman doesn’t follow suit
With Heaven and Obi leaving for Arsenal’s north-west counterparts this season, it’s clear that as the Gunners continue to compete for major honours, they’re likely to struggle to retain some of Hale End’s most prized assets.
The very best will find a way to get into Arteta’s team, evidenced by Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, but the majority will struggle to break into a top-level team and will seek opportunities elsewhere.
Dowman looks to be an elite talent, and Arsenal need to ensure he feels there’s a clear route to senior football.
Plenty of clubs are already interested in Dowman, and the North Londoners must quell this outside interest by beginning to integrate him into the first team next season.
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