‘You have to play him’ – Mikel Arteta ready to give 15-year-old Arsenal protegee Max Dowman more game time
By Becky Hart
Published 29/10/2025 at 11:47 GMT
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Mikel Arteta has given his views on how to manage the workload of Max Dowman, with the 15-year-old impressing far too much to be left out of the Arsenal side. Dowman has already made his first team debut for the Gunners, but how many more times he will play this season remains to be seen. Arsenal remain on top of the Premier League table, four points clear of Bournemouth.
We have to manage Dowman's load, he's still growing - Arteta
Video credit: SNTV
How many times to play Max Dowman, and quite when and where to utilise his talents is set to cause Mikel Arteta some problems at Arsenal this season.
Dowman is just 15 years old, but has already had three appearances for the Gunners this season, two in the Premier League and one in the Carabao Cup.
He may yet feature in this evening’s last-16 match against Brighton too.
And ahead of that game, Arteta has been giving his views on how to manage the teenager’s workload.
"I am calm over it because what we have decided for him for the first few months is happening," Arteta said, as reported by BBC Sport.
"When we have to give him games, whether it is in the youth cup, with the under-23s or with us, he has that.
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Dowman 'playing like Messi' as 15-year-old backed to be Premier League's breakout star
Video credit: TNT Sports
"He has a lot of exposure in training with us too. We really have to manage his load."
Dowman made his debut for Arsenal under 18s aged just 13. His rise has been meteoric, and he is already being touted as a future England star.
And what has impressed Arteta is how Dowman has performed in training - which is pushing his case for selection.
"He is 15 years old and still growing. There are a lot of things we have to make sure are under control so he develops in the way he can do," Arteta continued.
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"He will play minutes with us, for sure. When he has the chance to do that he needs to take it.
"If we looked at his passport every day, we would never play him - simple as that. 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 and an understanding - especially with the load, the things that are changing in his life, and make sure he can cope with that. So far, he has done that."
As for Dowman’s future, it is understood that he could pre-agree a professional contract when he turns 17 at the end of next year.
"That's what we all want and I think what he wants as well," Arteta explained.
"But the feeling that I have is that he genuinely loves it here. He is a huge Arsenal supporter and his family are really happy with the way things are developing around him as well. Hopefully, he will be with us for many years."
Arsenal remain on top of the Premier League table after a strong start to their season, four points clear of second-placed Bournemouth.
They take on Brighton next - who are 13th in the table - in the Carabao Cup at the Emirates Stadium.
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