Arteta confirms Max Dowman in line for Carabao Cup role against Brighton

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that 15-year-old sensation Max Dowman is in line for more first-team action, stating it would be negligent to overlook the winger’s exceptional talent.

Mikel Arteta: I’m Not Blind to Dowman’s Talent

Dowman is expected to feature in Arsenal’s squad for their Wednesday night Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.

The schoolboy’s potential involvement comes after he was notably held out of the club’s under-21 squad this past weekend.

Dowman has already made three senior appearances this season, including a debut against Leeds United where he became the second-youngest player in the club’s history.

Arteta explained his reasoning for fast-tracking the teenager, emphasizing that Dowman’s training performances make him impossible to ignore.

“If we looked at his passport every day we would never play him, simple as that,” said Arteta.

“But when you look at what he does in training you have to play him – if not you are blind, or I’m blind.

“So it is finding a balance, an understanding, especially the load, the things that are changing in his life, and make sure he can cope with that. So far he has done that.

“He is 15 years old, still growing, a lot of things we have to make sure are under control to make sure he develops in the way he can do.”

The manager acknowledged the challenge of managing such a young player’s development, stating the need to balance his physical load and the rapid changes in his life.

Last week, Arsenal secured an agreement for the England Under-19 international to sign scholarship terms, which will begin next season.

The club can also pre-arrange a professional contract to take effect when Dowman turns 17.

Arteta expressed his strong desire to see the player’s long-term future at the club, citing Dowman’s love for Arsenal and his family’s happiness with his current environment.

For the Brighton match, Arteta will rotate his squad. The game comes too soon for the injured William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli, but Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka are all available for selection.