It’s something special: Arsenal boss Arteta hails Max Dowman after 15-year-old makes history in win over Brighton

Max Dowman gave a “tiny smile” when he found out he would become Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter in last night’s EFL Cup win over Brighton, according to boss Mikel Arteta.

At 15 years and 302 days, Dowman played a key role as a much-changed Gunners side eased into the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win at the Emirates thanks to goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka.

Dowman has been around the first-team squad for much of the season and Arteta revealed he took news of his elevation into the starting XI in his stride.

“A tiny smile. That’s what you get with him,” said Arteta when asked how the teenager reacted. 

“For him, everything is natural. For him, everything is okay. It’s the way he plays. I think that’s the secret, that he doesn’t make a big fuss of it. He just does what he does best, which is to play football, to play football with a lot of courage and determination. Today, again, he’s shown some incredible skill, some capacity to run past players at that level in the Premier League at 15. It’s something definitely special.”

Dowman will be hoping for a place on the bench when Arsenal’s big-hitters return for Saturday’s trip to Burnley but Arteta believes last night will have increased the winger’s hunger to start more games.

“For sure, if you ask him, for sure,” he added. “That’s what we have to manage. Not only that, there are a lot of new things in his life, we discussed that a few days ago, make sure that he does the right steps, that he behaves and accepts because he’s going to go with this one, then he’s going to play in a different team, and he needs to cope with all that because it’s happening very, very fast and we all need to be aware of that. Let’s encourage him to keep going that way, but let’s protect him as well.”

It wasn’t just Dowman who showcased the quality of Arsenal’s youth set-up with 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous also impressing.

“Since pre-season when he was with us, I was very impressed with him,” said Arteta. “First of all, his mentality, how much he wants it. That’s the first ingredient. He’s desperate to achieve his dream. 

“I think he’s been very consistent, training with us and constantly giving us the option to pick him. I believe today was the right day for him, for the context, for the way he’s playing as well. He certainly proved that he’s got a chance.”

Arsenal will face Crystal Palace in the last eight in December following the Eagles’ 3-0 win at Liverpool.