Arteta Confirms Max Dowman Will Feature This Season but Warns Minutes Must Be Earned

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed 16-year-old Max Dowman will receive playing time this season, though he remains an unused substitute through four matches.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that 16-year-old midfielder Max Dowman will feature for the first team this season, though he warned the teenager must earn his place ahead of Tuesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round match at Ipswich Town. Dowman, who holds the record as the youngest player to start a Premier League fixture following a debut at Crystal Palace last season, has been an unused substitute four times this term, including during the recent midweek trip to Napoli.

The Premier League champions enter the Portman Road fixture following a 2-0 victory at Sunderland on Saturday, where Bukayo Saka scored a late goal to secure the win. Despite the result, Arteta noted that squad limitations prevented Dowman from traveling to the Stadium of Light, as the manager utilized a bench featuring Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, and Viktor Gyökeres. Dowman instead featured for the under-21 side over the weekend, playing in a 4-1 defeat against Chelsea.

Arsenal, who lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City at Wembley last season, are seeking their fifth consecutive victory of the new campaign. While Dowman previously scored his first professional goal during a cameo against Everton, Arteta emphasized that the midfielder's development requires him to compete for time like any other member of the squad. The match at Ipswich marks the third consecutive away game for the club following wins at Napoli and Sunderland.