Mikel Arteta cannot contain excitement for Arsenal future but one player is destined to miss out
Max Dowman of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Viktor Gyokeres during the Carabao Cup Third Round match(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The future is bright at Arsenal with both Max Dowman and Marli Salmon not looking out of place whatsoever among their senior teammates. Arsenal have produced two more starlets to potentially join Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri among those taking their careers to new levels.
Dowman scored twice while Salmon started in the heart of a team’s back four which has gained notoriety for just how strong it is. No doubt the missing five senior defenders due to injury have aided this pathway to minutes, but the teenager was not dwelling on such things and instead set about taking his chance.
What strikes you most about Dowman is the level of confidence he has. When you watch young players in a team of superstars, they’re often receiving the ball and returning it from where it came, but no one expects that of the 16-year-old.
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Every time he gets a touch of the ball, he wants to turn on it, beat a man and drive forward. He has the style of Martin Odegaard when in possession, but unlike the skipper, he’s always looking for ways to find the net, where Odegaard perhaps prioritises creativity.
Not to say either is a bad thing, there was a moment in the first half where Dowman had three options ahead and opted to shoot instead, seeing the strike blocked. But when it came to his goal, despite the magic feet at his disposal, he let the ball do the work, flooring Cedric Kipre before firing confidently past Christian Walton.
His second was a cool finish, just slotting the ball in like it was his thousandth time and not his third senior goal. He might even claim an assist after seemingly getting a touch on Martin Zubimendi’s pass to Mikel Merino, who smashed in a strike off the post.
Salmon, on the other hand, was tasked with a very different job and did it very well. Partnered with Gabriel, he had the confidence to step out of defence and play the ball.
There were a couple of rough edges, moments where he dived in a little rash but he also showed, like Dowman, a lack of fear to make big calls, confidently drive forward and help his teammates. The excitement is not only what both are showing now but also just how good they can be in the future.
Arteta was asked post-match on that excitement and despite wanting to appreciate the now… it was hard for him to conceal his joy and anticipation.
“I live the moment,” he replied. “And just having two 16-year-olds playing for Arsenal at this level against a Premier League team is so fulfilling. Because I've been there, and just to be able to contribute to somebody's career and dream, to be able to experience a game like tonight is just phenomenal.
“And yeah, medium and long term, we know that if they continue to develop in the way that they are, we're going to have two tremendous footballers for the future.”
There were also some competitive debuts for Theo Julienne and Ife Ibrahim, which certainly brought a smile to the faces of many. Both came on with enthusiasm and energy; they applied themselves and tried to imprint on the game for as long as they were on the field.
The same could be said of many of the players Arteta brought in for the game, who have lacked minutes. Noni Madueke, Zubimendi, Merino and Bruno Guimaraes were all strong in the game.
The same, however, cannot be said for another player who was given minutes despite struggling to have chances so far, Viktor Gyokeres. Kai Havertz is the undisputed starter as the club's striker after taking over the role.
The Swede managed 18 touches on the night, which was the fewest of any of the players on the field for both teams who started. Julienne came on and had 25, while only Christos Tzolis and Ife Ibrahim had fewer.
What was jarring about the performance was not how he struggled to get the ball, but it was a perceived lack of desire to get on the ball, join play or fight for duels. He completed nine of his 13 passes, had one shot which trickled into Walton’s arms.
Zero successful dribbles, 0% ground duels won, and one out of three aerial duels won. I know it might seem like I am hammering him, and it's worth adding Eberechi Eze who I have wanted to see play more off the left was also disappointing, despite being far more involved and even earning a cheeky assist for Dowman’s delightful first goal, but it is a concern if Havertz is to get injured again, that Gyokeres currently is not offering much at all in his stead.
Brighton away is next, which is helped by the fact that the Seagulls are playing at Manchester United on Wednesday night. This means they will have one less day to recover and prepare with Arsenal also able to fully rest Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Havertz and not risk Jurrien Timber either who remained at home resting after returning to the field on the weekend.
Tom Canton joined football.london as the Arsenal Fan Brand Writer and Presenter before becoming a permanent Arsenal Reporter in 2025. Tom produces plenty of analytical content in addition to breaking stories and is a regular attendee at matches and press conferences. Can also be found on YouTube @TheGoonerTalkTV
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