Mikel Arteta believes Max Dowman’s emergence has impressed the remainder of Arsenal’s gamers and can profit their quest for silverware this season.
Dowman grew to become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League historical past after approaching as an alternative within the 2‑0 win in opposition to Everton on Saturday. Arsenal stretched their lead on the high of the desk over Manchester Metropolis to 9 factors.
The 16-year-old, who grew to become the youngest participant to look within the Champions League when going through Slavia Prague throughout the league stage in November, is more likely to be on the bench once more for the second leg of their last-16 tie in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen regardless of the continued absence of Martin Ødegaard. Arteta hopes that the Norway midfielder will return for the Carabao Cup closing in opposition to Metropolis on Sunday.
Requested whether or not a few of Dowman’s youthful enthusiasm may rub off on a squad that has performed 48 video games this season within the chase for an unprecedented quadruple, Arteta mentioned: “That’s a great level. It’s very inspiring if you see somebody nearly naive making selections and flowing and careless enjoying in that method. It’s nice.
“Most likely our gamers realised as nicely. It’s a great instance, enjoying with that circulate and enthusiasm could be very useful for the workforce.”
On Dowman’s objective, Riccardo Calafiori mentioned: “I used to be so, so completely satisfied. Perhaps one of the best second of the season to this point, at the least in Premier League for positive. He’s so younger, however on the identical time so mature on the pitch. He can enhance many issues, however he’s a expertise. You may see it. However we have now to go away him quiet and check out not to discuss him an excessive amount of as a result of he has every thing.”
Wayne Rooney, who beforehand held the file for the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer, has questioned whether or not Dowman’s GCSE commitments may stop him from enjoying commonly for Arsenal’s first workforce throughout the title run-in. Whereas Arteta is eager to guard his rising star regardless of hypothesis that he may emerge as a contender for England World Cup squad, he praised Dowman for taking every thing in his stride.
“I didn’t count on that type of objective, however his angle and his choice making, sure. If not I wouldn’t have made the choice to play him,” Arteta mentioned. “However then to be that exact and ship the second that he delivered, that’s one thing tough to think about. He’s knocking on the door at 16, saying: ‘I’m ok and I can affect this workforce every time it’s wanted.’ And he’s doing it when he’s enjoying.”
Requested whether or not Dowman could possibly be a contender for England in the summertime, Arteta mentioned: “Let’s go sport by sport, please.”
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