Max Dowman once played in a surprise position but Mikel Arteta is never going to use him there at Arsenal

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Max Dowman is a superstar in the making at Arsenal.

The 15-year-old has already become a household name despite not making his senior competitive debut yet. That’s how big the hype is around him.

Dowman was given three opportunities as a substitute during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia, and the teenager was absolutely incredible in all three games.

Arsenal fans can’t wait to see more of the youngster, but many supporters will be surprised to learn the position that Dowman once played in.

Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman once played as a centre-back

Max Dowman is naturally an attacking midfielder, but all his opportunities in Arsenal’s pre-season tour came on the right wing.

The teenager looked incredible in Bukayo Saka’s position, where his pace, acceleration, dribbling and skill on the ball made him extremely difficult to stop.

Former Arsenal Academy coach Temisan Williams knows Dowman very well, having worked with him in the past, and he has now given an insight into the 15-year-old’s playing style when he was younger.

Williams revealed that Dowman has previously played as a nine, in his natural attacking midfield role, as a six, and surprisingly, even as a central defender.

He told Sky Sports: “Max? He just wanted to be on the pitch.

“He would play as the No 10, or the No 9, but would sometimes play as our No 6 to go and receive the ball deeper. When the centre-backs had the ball, Max was there going to receive and then driving forward.

“He even sometimes played centre-back!

“It’s important that you get a plethora of position perspectives in relation when you’re going through your developmental years, because it just helps you to see the game requirements in a more rounded way as you’re growing older and you start to specialise more.”

Former coach reveals Max Dowman’s best position

We would’ve never guessed that Dowman once played as a centre-half. It is really surprising, but what’s certain is that Mikel Arteta is never going to use him there.

After seeing his performances on the right wing, it is tempting to deploy the youngster in that role, but Dowman has shown in the academy that he is brilliant as a number 10 too.

However, Williams, who has worked closely with Dowman and seen him develop over the years, believes that his best position is in a box-to-box role.

He said: “If you had to pin me down, I would probably say as a No 8.

“His strength is his ball-carrying skills, especially centrally. And I think the No 8 position is where you’ll see the best of Max.”