Sir Alex Ferguson’s trick of utilising young Federico Macheda won Manchester United the Premier League, and now Max Dowman can help Arsenal repeat history.
Arsenal are favourites to win the Premier League, but there’s still a long way to go, as the Gunners will know, given the trips in previous run-ins.
Still, sitting seven points clear with eight games to go, Arsenal look strong, but Mikel Arteta’s side could do with an injection of inspiration to get the job done.
That injection could come in the form of Dowman, who, after returning from injury, has shown that he can be Arsenal’s secret weapon in the title race.
Calling on a 16-year-old in the thick of a title race seems peculiar, but it’s been done before, ironically by one of the best: Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Federico Macheda’s title-winning impact for Sir Alex Ferguson must inspire Mikel Arteta and Max Dowman
When Federico Macheda signed for Manchester United’s academy as a 16-year-old in 2007, very few would have anticipated that it would be the teenager who got the Premier League title over the line less than a year later.
It seemed impossible, but it happened, as when Ferguson called on Macheda in the 2008/09 season, the Italian took his chances.
When Manchester United needed a goal more than ever in the title race, it was 17-year-old Macheda who provided the goods, most notably scoring the match-winner against Aston Villa in April 2009.
The win saw United leapfrog Liverpool in the table and eventually win the league, with Macheda having a hand in three goal contributions in his four Premier League appearances.
For Ferguson, a risk was taken to place trust in the teenager, and it paid off, as goal-hungry Macheda had a title-winning impact.
There are parallels to United’s position at the time of Macheda’s rise and where Arsenal are right now with Dowman.
Agree or disagree, Max Dowman is the figure Arsenal need to win the Premier League
Dowman has shown he’s ready for senior football, and given what the Premier League saw Ferguson do, he could well be ready to follow in Macheda’s footsteps and win Arsenal the league.
At a time when Arsenal are scrutinised for winning their way, Arteta can introduce Dowman to shake things up, and who knows, it could deliver the title.
Ferguson knew that Macheda’s talent was enough; the only question was his readiness, which is where the risk came, and that’s ultimately where the reward was born.
Arteta can now take a leaf from Ferguson’s 2008/09 title win and replicate the impact a teenager can have, as we’ve seen how a player with fresh energy and no expectation can be the difference-maker.
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