Mikel Arteta suggests new position for Max Dowman ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea

Max Dowman is expected to have a much bigger season at Arsenal than he did last time.

The 16-year-old has been a household name for a few seasons now, even though it was only in the 2025/26 campaign that he made his debut.

Everyone in football believes Dowman is destined to be a superstar, and Mikel Arteta has high hopes for him as well.

Now, the Arsenal manager has hinted at a new position for his teenage wonderkid.

Mikel Arteta suggests Max Dowman could play on the left wing

Max Dowman is versatile.

The youngster is naturally an attacking midfielder, but most of his senior appearances have come on the right wing.

At youth level for England, Dowman has even played as a striker, and he definitely has the ability to do that thanks to his eye for goal.

Now, Arteta has hinted that he could be used on the left wing.

During an interview with Sky Sports ahead of Arsenal’s game against Chelsea, the Spaniard was asked about the lack of options on his left flank.

Arteta responded by claiming that he now has players that he didn’t in the first half of last season to play there, like Dowman.

He said: “I think we’re going to have to prove how versatile and good we can become in that flank with the players that have left.

“But it’s true that we have now players available that last year, for seven months, till January, they weren’t available in the squad.

“Ethan was out on loan anyway. So, Ethan Nwaneri wasn’t part of the team. Max is here, and yeah, we have to prove that we have what it takes to win.”

Has Max Dowman ever played on the left wing?

Modern-day wingers need to be able to play on both wings, and Dowman will need to develop that skill at some point.

However, up until this point, he has never done it – not even for the youth sides, according to Transfermarkt.

That makes it a big risk for Arteta to throw him on the left, especially at his age. It may backfire big-time and affect his confidence.

Christos Tzolis and Eberechi Eze should be able to hold down the left wing until January, while Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka can play there too.

Dowman should only be considered as an option on the left if all of the above names are unavailable.