‘the Feeling’—mikel Arteta Predicts Future Of Real Madrid-linked Arsenal Star

Mikel Arteta has small interest astir Real Madrid aliases immoderate different rival nine poaching 15-year-old prodigy Max Dowman, contempt nan young talent not being locked into a elder statement pinch Arsenal.

In England, players are only capable to motion a master position erstwhile they move 17, and clubs stay susceptible to losing academy talents successful younger property groups. Real Madrid are believed to person sent scouts to watch Dowman and were earnestly impressed.

But Dowman is simply a lifelong Arsenal instrumentality from a family afloat of supporters and appears committed to staying pinch nan Gunners, moreover pinch perchance much lucrative opportunities elsewhere. It was recently reported that he is successful discussions pinch nan nine astir his clever clever status, pinch negotiations complete a first master statement that tin beryllium formally pre-signed from erstwhile he turns 16.

Arteta has now backed up nan conception that Dowman, who made his first-team debut successful August to go nan club’s 2nd youngest ever subordinate down Ethan Nwaneri, will perpetrate long-term.

“I don’t deliberation astir [losing Dowman] because everything that I perceive from nan subordinate and nan family has been very positive,” Arteta told reporters. “[Staying long-term] is we each want and I deliberation what he wants arsenic well. After that it is much for [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and nan club.

“But nan emotion that I person is that genuinely he loves it here. He is simply a immense Arsenal protagonist and his family are really happy pinch nan measurement things are processing astir him arsenic well. Hopefully for galore years he will beryllium pinch us.”

Dowman is getting opportunities astatine 15 years of age. / Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Arteta showed pinch his usage of Nwaneri, who debuted successful 2022, that he is consenting to springiness very young players an opportunity astatine elder level if he believes they are bully enough. It has been a akin communicative pinch Dowman, for whom property unsocial is not a capable logic to clasp him back.

“If we looked astatine his passport each time we would ne'er play him, elemental arsenic that,” Arteta explained. “So it is uncovering a balance, an understanding, particularly nan load, nan things that are changing successful his life, and making judge he tin header pinch that. So far, he has done that.”

Dowman has made 3 first-team appearances totalling 54 minutes for Arsenal so acold this play and chances could support coming because of much elder players being injured.

“In nan beforehand line, that is wherever we person much difficulties,” Arteta conceded ahead of facing Brighton & Hove Albion successful nan Carabao Cup this week. “Gabby Jesus out, Kai [Havertz] out, [Gabriel] Martinelli and [Noni] Madueke out. We person to beryllium much observant arsenic we don’t person galore options.

“[Dowman] will play minutes pinch us, for sure, and erstwhile he has nan chance he needs to return it.”

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