Max Dowman has caught the eye for Arsenal in pre-season and could now be in line for a role in Mikel Arteta’s team next season.
Arteta will be keen to blood more youngsters in the first team next campaign after the success both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri enjoyed last term.
Dowman looks the most likely to break into the senior side, excelling in his cameo appearances off the bench against AC Milan and Newcastle over the last week.
Despite only turning 15 last December, the starlet stood out in the clash with Magpies, winning the penalty that sealed victory for the Gunners.
Neil Warnock issues warning to Arsenal about Max Dowman
Martin Odegaard claimed Dowman made ‘the difference’ against Newcastle for Arsenal, and it’s hard to disagree with the Norwegian.
The 15-year-old produced several mesmeric moments of individual skill, skipping past opposition players with ease and testing John Ruddy with some powerful efforts on goal.
Declan Rice waxed lyrical about Dowman after the game, while Arteta also spoke highly of what the Hale End star was able to produce.
The hype around the player is starting to grow, with fans online already making comparisons to Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.
However, former Premier League manager Neil Warnock has raised some concerns about the noise surrounding Dowman, warning Arsenal that they must carefully manage his integration into senior football.
“You have to be careful with the kids though,” Warnock said on talkSPORT.
“This 15-year-old at Arsenal, it goes to their head no matter what you say, it goes to their heads.
“You read the papers and they get these cars if they’re not careful. They need good guidance at that age, and I don’t know if they get it at the minute.”
Neil Warnock is right about Max Dowman
Ashley Cole echoed Warnock’s sentiments on Dowman back in April, telling the Arsenal faithful that they should hold fire when praising the teenager.
Both Cole and Warnock have a point; too much pressure on a prospect at a young age can certainly derail their career, particularly when they’re thrust into the limelight before they’re ready for it.
Comparisons to Yamal and even Lionel Messi are not healthy and are not conducive to an environment that can help him develop at his own pace.
That said, Warnock’s suggestion that Dowman may not have the best guidance around him is likely wide of the mark.
Arsenal have been excellent at honing talented individuals emerging from their academy in recent years, helping them remain grounded and aiding them to block out the noise.
This should be no different to Dowman, who, by all accounts, has an excellent team of people around him working to maximise his potential.
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