Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says 15-year-old Max Dowman “deserves to have chances” after the attacking midfielder again pressed his claims to play in the Premier League with an impressive cameo against Villarreal.
England Under-17 international Dowman has repeatedly made a swift impact as a substitute during pre-season, going close to scoring on several occasions and winning a second penalty in three games after replacing Bukayo Saka in the 63rd minute of the 3-2 home defeat to the Spanish side.
“He continues to impress, without a doubt,” said Arteta. “The impact he had in the game again, the efficiency that he shows in every attack and action – it’s incredible.
“He deserves to have chances and if he continues like this, let’s see what happens.”
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Max Dowman: Arsenal’s Premier League newcomer?
Dowman shone during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Milan and tested Newcastle goalkeepers Nick Pope and John Ruddy before being pushed over by Joelinton to earn Martin Odegaard’s decisive 86th-minute spot kick against the Magpies.
He also scored a penalty in the shootout against Milan and showed feet too quick for Villarreal’s Pau Navarro, again winning a spot kick that was converted by Odegaard.
“It’s getting to the point where it’s going to be impossible to leave him out of the matchday squad,” former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke told Arsenal’s official channel after their first home friendly.
“He’s going to have to be involved from the bench. He delivered – he won the penalty with a lovely little Cruyff turn. He’s so positive and quick.”
Arteta: Dowman ‘trust’ from team
Arteta said Dowman will “have a break” over “the next few days”. “He hasn’t had any holidays really,” explained the Spaniard, likening Dowman to 18-year-old breakthrough winger Ethan Nwaneri.
“The reaction [of the players] is very clear. They have the ball and they give it to him. That tells you how much they trust him and the relationship he’s building within the team.
“There’s nothing better than that confidence they show [in him] to make things happen and the constant connection they have with him.
“Even last year when he was training with us, he was doing this kind of thing in training. Now he’s doing it in the game consistently.
“In the three or four games that he’s played, he’s managed to impact and have big moments.”
Dowman, who already holds the age records for the youngest Premier League 2 player and Uefa Youth League scorer, will be Arsenal’s second-youngest ever debutant behind Nwaneri if he features for the first team before mid-March.
7. Max Dowman becomes the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Youth League history. pic.twitter.com/jjrqbdQ4Vr
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 30, 2024
Viktor Gyokeres: Arsenal building fitness
Arteta handed a first start to Viktor Gyokeres, who Arsenal hope will answer their need for a prolific striker after joining from Sporting in July for a fee that could rise to £64 million.
The 27-year-old had a quiet first half but did well to test Villarreal’s starting goalkeeper, Luiz Junior, from a tight angle after being played in by Mikel Merino shortly before the Sweden international was replaced.
“He will be 100% or more because he’s so willing and confident that he can deliver in a positive way,” predicted Arteta, discussing how Gyokeres is adapting “mentally” and “understanding what he needs to do”.
“On his fitness level, I think he hasn’t trained really with [a] team for two months, so he’s now done five or six sessions.”
Arsenal host Athletic Bilbao on Saturday (17:00 BST / 12:00 ET / 09:00 ET), when Arteta said Gyokeres “will take another step and be in a better condition”.
Gyokeres ‘didn’t get service’ from Arsenal
Clarke said he “felt a bit” for Gyokeres because of Arsenal’s familiar problems with creating chances.
“He worked hard and pressed hard but didn’t get the kind of service we need,” said Clarke. “There was a moment when [Gabriel] Martinelli needed to play him in but waited too long.
“Those connections will improve. It was a lovely slip pass from Merino and [Gyokeres] hit it from the angle quite magnificently.
“People will say he didn’t contribute on his debut but I saw the right signs that he will do well. It’s a pity that Gyokeres didn’t get to play with Odegaard [as a result of substitutions], because he’s always looking for those clever passes.”
Arteta echoed Clarke’s thoughts. “Every day in training, I think he’s getting a really good feeling,” he said.
“He’s getting connections, which is really important with players who are going to help him to get in the positions he needs to get in.”
Arsenal vs Villarreal result ‘painful’
Arsenal have now lost twice in six days following their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in Hong Kong last Thursday, with Villarreal scoring early goals through Nicolas Pepe and Karl Etta Eyong.
Christian Norgaard headed in his first Arsenal goal but Arnaut Danjuma’s second-half strike on the break meant Odegaard’s penalty was not redemptive.
“The result is painful,” rued Arteta, who was “very happy” with “a lot of things”. “[Villarreal] were super efficient but we’ve been naive – especially the way we defended in open spaces.
“That’s something that, especially with the way we play, we have to absolutely nail. We weren’t good at all in that department and that cost us the game, for sure.”
When does Arsenal’s 2025/26 Premier League season start?
The first round of Premier League matches in 2025/26 will be on the weekend of August 16 2025, including Arsenal’s trip to Manchester United on Sunday, August 17 at 16:30 BST.
The game against the 2024/25 Europa League finalists is being shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League, Ultra and Main Event.
The last round of matches this season will all start at the same time on May 24 2026. No rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other and there will be no fixture on December 24.
