One Arsenal star is mentoring Max Dowman as Hale End wonderkid looks to impress Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal fans are patiently waiting to see the emergence of Hale End starlet Max Dowman.

Mikel Arteta has been inspired by the successes of Arsenal’s academy this season as the manager continues to eye upcoming talent.

The next youngster in the pipeline to be special at the Emirates is 15-year-old Dowman, who is in Dubai with the first team.

Arteta could repeat his handling of Ethan Nwaneri, who made his Premier League debut at just 15, as Dowman continues to play far beyond his years.

• READ MORE: Who is Max Dowman? Meet the Arsenal wonderkid who has broken records and impressed Mikel Arteta

Myles Lewis-Skelly has been mentoring Max Dowman

Dowman has been playing in Arsenal’s U18 squad this season, which having turned 15 in December, is rather remarkable.

The midfielder was born in 2009, three years after the Emirates Stadium opened, making many Hale End graduates before him feel incredibly senior.

So much so, that it’s been revealed that academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is just 18 himself, has become a part of Dowman’s development at Colney.

U18’s coach Adam Birchall lifted the lid on Dowman’s progress this season while the teenager is living it up in Dubai with the first team.

“We want to develop our young players to play in our first team, and you can see what it means to Myles, Ethan and Bukayo when they wear the shirt,” Birchall said to Arsenal’s official website. 

The coach then shared that behind the scenes, the club have a plan in place for Dowman that includes Lewis-Skelly.

“They really do inspire the next generation and the younger boys. Behind the scenes we try to do a lot of work in terms of Myles meeting Max Dowman for example, chatting and speaking about experiences.”

Before jetting off to Dubai, Dowman shone in the FA Youth Cup, where he was backed to not just match Nwaneri’s level but, to eclipse the fellow academy graduate.

Mikel Arteta knows what is best for Dowman

It’s imperative to tread carefully when in control of a talent as young as Dowman, who despite impressing, is in the earliest stage of his senior career.

While the Gunners will be cautious with the teenager’s rise, Arteta has already hinted that Dowman will be in his plans very soon. 

Some might disagree with the Arsenal manager’s decisions but, the Spaniard has every right to take control, given how he’s left his critics red-faced in the past.

For example, Jason Cundy blasted Arteta due to Nwaneri’s age on his debut, accusing the boss of not caring about the teenager, which looks rather silly now.

Fast forward and Nwaneri is touching Premier League records, proving that Arteta was right to ease the youngster into senior level from an incredibly tender age.

Could the same happen to Dowman? Only time will tell but, the signs are very encouraging as the teen continues to learn from those who have walked before him.