Mikel Arteta makes Max Dowman promise as Arsenal questions emerge ahead of Ipswich
Mikel Arteta used Max Dowman plenty during Arsenal's pre-season(Image: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has made Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman a promise of minutes ahead of the League Cup clash with Ipswich Town.
Despite playing all throughout pre-season, Dowman is yet to play a single minute of senior football during the campaign, with Arteta instead calling on Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke to start on the right flank.
With a 100% record, the Gunners boss can hardly be scrutinised for his choices so far, but there is a yearning for the 16-year-old to get important exposure and utilise his talent.
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“Well, I wish we could have [had him in Sunderland], but yeah, we have the limitation with the numbers that we can have,” Arteta said when asked about Dowman’s lack of game time.
“He will have his chance, 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.”
Arsenal reached the final of the Carabao Cup last season, losing to Manchester City in the final in a disappointing performance.
Many have challenged whether the competition remains essential to a side like Arteta’s where they have far grander ideas in the league, Champions League and FA Cup.
However, Arteta is adamant that he knows his players will want to win the tie away from home in midweek.
“With the next game ahead, and the next competition, and I'm sure we'll enjoy [Saturday], and [on Sunday] we're going to start to prepare the game,” he explained, speaking after the win on Wearside.
“In 24 hours, we'll look at the players' eyes, and they'll say, ‘I want to play, I want to win the game, I want to improve.’,
“And they will review the game, and they will be willing for more, because I know the boys.”
Ipswich head coach Gary O’Neil believes Arsenal, just as he plans to do too, will make changes to the squad despite perhaps lacking the depth of the champions.
“I’ll make some changes to my team, I am sure Mikel will make changes to his team but it is a game we want to win," he said.
“I want to get as far in the cups as we can, so, we approach the game on Tuesday. We’re going to give it our best go at home under the lights.”
After the defeat at home to Liverpool, O’Neil wants to try again at creating a hostile atmosphere in familiar surroundings and put right what didn’t go their way.
“We missed that opportunity against Liverpool, we played well against Liverpool but it was already 2-0. We missed the opportunity to use the energy of Portman Road under the lights against a big side.
“So on Tuesday, we can correct that. We can take the fans on an attempt, beating one of the best sides around.”
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