Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta calls up 14-year-old prodigy ahead of huge Chelsea fixture

Mikel Arteta gave 14-year-old Max Dowman his first-team training bow ahead of their visit to on Sunday.

The likes of academy graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri perhaps more than they would have expected this term, with injuries hitting Arteta’s senior squad hard and fixtures coming and the midweek defeat to Inter Milan meaning they have stalled to in the , mustering two wins from four.

That came on top of some indifferent league results that left them sixth ahead of their trip to

However, the emergence of Cobham's finest remains a silver lining on this so-far blemished start, and fans could soon be treated to another in Dowman, who has the faith of not only his manager but one coach who likened him to Ballon d’Or winner Kaka.

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"He [Dowman] plays in Kaka’s style. He can write his name," stated youth team coach Gustavo Oliveira earlier this term. "One day, he will play for the England national team and in the Premier League."

Arteta’s choice to give Dowman a run with the first team is a credit to how highly the Spaniard views a player who became the youngest goal scorer in the UEFA Youth League this September.

In the eyes of many at the club, it seems as though it is only a matter of time before the midfielder claws his way into first-team contention, and Jack Wilshere, former U18 manager who played a similar position to the youngster, feels no different.

"There’s always a concern when fielding such a young player in these matches, but if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.” Wilshere stated when asked about Dowman, before leaving the Gunners’ academy for a role with last month.

"He can be more consistent," Wilshere added. "But, he’s only 14 and hasn’t even started his GCSEs yet. We need to find a balance of letting him play and enjoy because of his age but also trying to get as much work into him as we can.”

Losing Wilshere was a blow to the north London side, as was failing to tie down academy prospect Chido Obi-Martin, who, having scored 32 goals in 18 games for the Gunners’ U18 side last season, jumped ship to .

Perhaps then, this call-up is an incentive for Dowman, as the club, and Arteta, won't wish to lose another young star to a Premier League rival.

Training alongside Dowman was , who rose through Arsenal’s ranks as the 14-year-old likely wishes to do.

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