Arteta insists Dowman will get his chance pre-Ipswich clash

Arsenal kick off their League Cup campaign away to Premier League opposition on Tuesday night, travelling to Suffolk for a match against Ipswich Town.

With Arsenal competing in the Premier League and Champions League as well in September, the League Cup is widely viewed as an opportunity for some rotation, which could give chances to some of the squad’s fringe players.

That list arguably includes Max Dowman, who has made four of Arsenal’s six senior squads this season but has only appeared on the pitch for the u21s.

Speaking about Dowman ahead of the Ipswich game, Mikel Arteta told the media the 16-year-old will get his opportunity on the pitch.

“He will have his chance,” Arteta said. “He will have his minutes, and he will have to earn them like anybody else. 

“We know the talent that we have, we know the players that we have there, and we need to help him and find a way to make sure that he continues to develop and help the team.”

Dowman was involved in first-team training on Monday, which is a positive sign, considering the u21s will also be in action on Tuesday night.

But it’s not necessarily going to be easy for Dowman to get chances, even when Arteta does rotate. When Bukayo Saka isn’t starting, Noni Madueke will want to be involved. When Martin Odegaard is out, Eberechi Eze or Mikel Merino will hope to take his place.

Dowman is already way ahead of most 16-year-old footballers, simply by making the senior squad on a regular basis. He may need to be patient for much more than that, and to take his chances when they come.