Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has name-checked Max Dowman as a candidate to compete with captain Martin Odegaard for the No.10 role next season.

When asked by the media whether the Gunners need to add more depth in that position, Arteta replied:

“I think we have a lot of players there. Mikel [Merino] can play there. Ethan Nwaneri, it’s his main position. We have Max [Dowman] as well coming through.”

Arteta was then asked specifically about whether the 15-year-old will be in contention for starts next campaign and he said:

“For the near future, yeah. I think, let’s see how this evolves, but we certainly got a big, big talent there.”

Dowman has been training with the first team

The teenager has been regularly pictured at London Colney training alongside the senior squad, but he isn’t currently eligible to play for the first team.

Having been registered for the Under-15s this season, rules stipulate that Dowman can’t play in the Premier League. That will change this summer.

The Arsenal starlet is in high demand

Dowman has yet to sign a professional contract with the Gunners due to his age. It does leave him vulnerable to being poached.

Late last year, it was claimed that Manchester United (who have already raided the club’s academy for Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven) were keeping tabs on the youngster, along with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona.

However, Dowman will be confident of making his first-team breakthrough at the Emirates. He has seen the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri establish themselves in the senior setup this campaign and he will be aiming to follow suit when the 2025/26 season begins, especially after hearing Arteta’s remarks.

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