Jamie O'Hara can't believe what people are saying about Arsenal's Max Dowman now

Max Dowman has been the talk of the town since his performance for Arsenal against Ipswich Town.

The 16-year-old was handed his first start of the season in the Carabao Cup clash at Portman Road, and he was fantastic.

Dowman scored a phenomenal brace and was arguably the best player on the pitch. Everyone’s impressed by him, so much so that many want to see him start against Brighton on Saturday.

Jamie O’Hara, however, is completely against that opinion.

Jamie O’Hara says there’s ‘no way’ Max Dowman can start for Arsenal vs Brighton

Arsenal take on Brighton in what will be a difficult test on Saturday.

The Gunners have had a flawless start to the new season, winning every single game they have played since the Community Shield.

Brighton, on the other hand, have won two of their first four games and are fifth in the table. They have just knocked out Manchester United in the Carabao Cup as well.

Despite that, Gary Neville and Ian Wright have predicted an Arsenal win, which would likely keep them at the top of the Premier League table going into the international break.

O’Hara has been looking ahead to that game at the Amex, and he has dismissed the idea that Max Dowman should start that game.

He said on Sky Sports: “No, he’s not. I don’t know why anyone’s saying he’s a must-starter. He’s not a must-starter. He’s 16 years old!

“Look, he’s playing in a Carabao Cup game against Ipswich, he’s done brilliantly and he’s scoring goals. Look, he’s got huge talent, and they’re going to nurture that talent. But starting him in the Premier League…

“Listen, there might be certain moments where he starts, but he’s a player that you have in the squad. I think he’s a player you have around the place. You bring him on. Can he produce moments? I think that’s where he’s at right now.

“But to start him? No, not yet, no way. No way! I wouldn’t even be thinking about starting him against Brighton. Brighton are a really good team. That’s a really difficult game for Arsenal. That’s a huge game for them. You can’t start Max Dowman.”

Mikel Arteta will not start Max Dowman against Brighton

It is tempting to start Dowman again after his incredible performance against Ipswich Town, but there’s almost no chance of that happening.

Arteta has repeatedly stated that he will only play the 16-year-old in the right context and emphasised the need to protect him.

“What we have to do is look after him,” Arteta said after the win against Ipswich Town.

“He’s 16 years old, you don’t see that in this league. In other leagues in Europe, that’s a totally different context. But in this league, with the demands that the league, the players and everything puts on you, we really need to make sure every time we throw him in, he’s in the right context with the right preparation, and that’s what we are trying to do.”

That all but confirms that Dowman will not start against Brighton, and that would absolutely be the right decision.