Arsenal star Bukayo Saka suffered an injury during the warm-up against Leeds United.
Mikel Arteta hasn’t had a fully fit squad available at his disposal since the start of the season, and there is now a new problem.
Saka is one of Arsenal’s most important players, and if he is out for an extended period of time, the Gunners have a problem.
Noni Madueke is the obvious replacement for Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli can play on the right wing too. But Arsenal could soon have another secret option that nobody is talking about – Max Dowman.
Is there a bigger teenage prodigy at Arsenal right now than Max Dowman? 🌟
Oxlade-Chamberlain can't believe Dowman's talent…
Max Dowman could be Arsenal’s secret option to replace Bukayo Saka
There is no official diagnosis on Bukayo Saka’s injury just yet.
The Arsenal number seven seemed to injure his hamstring or groin in warm-up, but reports have later suggested that it was a hip injury.
Injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar agreed with Mikel Arteta’s suggestion that it was only a niggle for Saka, but there is no confirmation just yet.
In case Saka is out for a period of time, Madueke will take his place, but there is another exciting option to turn to.
Arteta revealed that Dowman is back out on the grass after his injury, and he could be in contention very soon.
The teenager is an attacking midfielder by trade, but he has featured on the right wing for the Arsenal first team.
We won’t be surprised at all if Dowman gets a run of games in Saka’s position if the Gunners’ number seven is injured for an extended period of time.
Imagine it’s the year 2030. How much is Max Dowman worth?
Mikel Arteta compares Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman to Lionel Messi
Dowman is one of the most exciting young players on the planet.
It’s very rare to see a 15-year-old make his senior debut, but everyone at the Emirates Stadium is convinced that Dowman is a superstar in the making.
Even Arteta has been impressed with Dowman, so much so that he compared him to a young Lionel Messi.
Speaking ahead of the game against Leeds, the Arsenal manager said about Dowman, as per The Guardian: “Certainly one of the best. What he’s done with us at the age of 15, me personally, I haven’t seen it before.
“Only with a guy that used to play in Barcelona (Messi), but maybe not even that. He has a certain charisma as well and personality that he doesn’t get overwhelmed, whether it’s by the situation, the stadium or the opposition, and that’s a huge quality to have.
“Now it’s down to him and us to build an amazing career with him.”
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