Mikel Arteta has tipped Max Dowman to be the next Arsenal teenager who can break into the first team and described the 15-year-old as a “big, big talent”.
Dowman has been training with Arsenal’s first team for several months and was part of the group that went to Dubai in February for a warm weather camp. He became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Uefa Youth League in September at the age of 14 years, eight months and 19 days and also starred for Arsenal’s under-18s in their run to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
Arteta also said midfielder Jorginho is recovering from a lung problem and may play again this season. The 33-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, made his last appearance on 12 April against Brentford, when he was forced off with an apparent chest injury. “It got a bit more complicated than expected,” said Arteta. “He’s fine, he’s recovering well.”
Arsenal have not confirmed details of the Italian’s injury but sources have indicated he sustained a punctured lung. On the prospect of his vice-captain playing again this season, Arteta said: “I think so, if everything goes OK in the next week or so.”
The manager was also optimistic about William Saliba’s future despite the Frenchman having been linked with a move to Real Madrid as he enters the final two years of his contract. “I leave those kind of things more for [the sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club to talk about,” he said. “What I’m certain, because I had a conversation with him, that he’s so happy here, that he wants to continue with us.”
