Max Dowman could be ‘perfect man’ to inspire Arsenal title charge - despite juggling Premier League run-in with GCSEs

At just 16, Dowman continues to prove his ‘wonderkid’ credentials.

From his goal against Everton, where he ran the length of the field to net and seal a crucial victory, to his Roy of the Rovers-like display in an Emirates FA Cup defeat to Southampton, Mikel Arteta has continued to turn to the teenager for inspiration.

And with Arsenal beginning to wane at the season’s ‘business end’, The Breakdown panel believe Dowman could offer the required spark to keep hopes alive of a first Premier League title in 22 years. 

”He’s a brilliant player,” Owen Hargreaves said. ”The thing that’s impressed me most about him is his attitude, his mindset. I never see him cheer too much or get too down. He’s so chilled.”

Former Gunners defender Martin Keown added: ”You wonder if this is going to be the season where they give him his wings and throw him in there. We’ve got a succession of No. 10s. [Eberechi] Eze’s a 10, [Martin] Odegaard’s a 10, [Kai] Havertz is a 10 now. Do you throw the youngster in? It’s getting very close now. 

”We talked a lot recently about fear, and how that’s a disease in the game. And this is a young man who doesn’t experience fear. So maybe he’s the perfect man on the shelf to bring in and play.”

But of course, Dowman will have to balance any football responsibility with his GCSEs. 

”People are forgetting he’s got his GCSEs to do as well,” TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher noted. ”So not only is he taking onboard being part of this Arsenal group, he’s got a major part of life away from football.”

Former Chelsea attacker Cole quipped: ”I don’t think he’s going to need those GCSEs to be honest. Mr and Mrs Dowman tell him, ‘You might need these one day, son, when you’re applying for a job.’ He’s like, ‘Mum, have you seen Match of the Day? I’ll be alright’”.

Fletcher continued: ”See, I would suspect that Mr and Mrs Dowman are saying, ‘You better concentrate on them.' Because that’s what parents would do. Isn’t it?”

Cole added: ”But parents aren’t always right. Mr and Mrs Dowman, he’s going to be alright. Don’t worry. Get him ready for the title run-in. 

”If I’m Arteta, I would be saying, ‘Concentrate’. Because I think he’s got a say in this title race. He’s got no fear. 

”And the fact the manager put him on in a game where it was all going wrong [against Bournemouth] - Arteta had experienced international players sitting behind him, and he looked at the kid - that tells me how highly he rates him.”

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