Mikel Arteta has promised Arsenal youngster Max Dowman will get minutes this season but warned the 16-year-old must earn his opportunities.
Dowman has been an unused substitute in four matches so far this campaign, including last Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Napoli.
The teenager made history last season by becoming the youngest player to start a Premier League match when he was selected against Crystal Palace.
Arteta was unable to guarantee that Dowman would start Tuesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Ipswich, despite Arsenal’s busy schedule.
“Max will have his chance. He will have his minutes and he will have to earn them like anybody else,” Arteta said.
“You know the talent that we have, the players that we have there, we need to help him and find a way to make sure he continues to develop.”
Arsenal targeting another win
Arsenal travel to Ipswich looking to make it five victories from five matches at the start of the new campaign.
The Gunners reached the Carabao Cup final last season but lost to Manchester City at Wembley. Although defending their Premier League title and pursuing a first Champions League triumph are likely to be bigger priorities, Arteta expects his squad to be motivated by the chance to progress.
“It’s the next game ahead and the next competition,” he said.
“We will look at the players eyes, they will say they want to play, they want to win the game, they want to improve and they want to review the [Sunderland] game and they will be willing for me, because I know the boys.”
Saka praises Arsenal’s recent efforts
Arsenal’s latest win came at Sunderland on Saturday, when Bukayo Saka scored late to secure a hard-fought three points.
That result followed a narrow win over Napoli and a close contest against London rivals Chelsea, with Tuesday’s match at Ipswich representing the club’s third consecutive away fixture.
Saka admitted the demanding run had tested the squad but praised the way Arsenal had handled the travel and workload.
“It’s been a massive week for us,” Saka told the official club website.
“There has been a lot of travelling. People don’t understand behind the scenes how it’s been, but I’m really happy with how we’ve managed this.
“It’s amazing for us, so credit to the team, the staff, all of us. We need to keep going – it doesn’t stop.”
You Should Also Read
