Mikel Arteta gives honest opinion as 15-year-old Max Dowman stars again for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has described Max Dowman as an extraordinary talent after another exciting performance for Arsenal.

Dowman made his senior debut during a pre-season win against AC Milan aged just 15-years-old earlier in the week.

He was a second half substitute for the Gunners on Wednesday, and came off the bench once again as they beat Newcastle 3-2 on Sunday.

Dowman – who can play as a right winger or right-sided No.8 and No.10 – even won the winning penalty after a mazy run and foul from Joelinton during the final ten minutes of play.

Head coach Arteta may have some food for thought ahead of next season as the teenager left him impressed yet again.

“It is special,” he told reporters after the win over Newcastle.

“Obviously what he’s done today against this team in the time that he had on the pitch, it’s something certainly not common to witness for a 15-year-old. So, we are extremely happy to have him.

“I think, again, the environment that is around him, his family, the people at the club, the academy as well.

“Super helpful because they put him into this position so early in his journey, having a real chance and a real presence when he plays for the first-team.”

Dowman debuted for the Arsenal U18s aged 13 and has since scored 20 goals for them, as well as providing ten assists.

He is also a regular player for the England U17s having netted five times in 16 appearances.

And as per talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan, Dowman could be en route to becoming a world-beater in football like Lamine Yamal.

How Dowman could be the next Lamine Yamal

“He looks like a very special talent,” Jordan said on White and Jordan.

“I saw him just over a year ago, and I remember speaking to Danny Murphy about him, he was already plugged into him.

“This is a very talented young man, that has the potential to be as good as anything that’s out there.

“I hate to throw these superlatives around because it makes unnecessary headlines for people…

“If he continues on his journey, continues to be focused and develop, he is in the talent bracket of people like Lamine Yamal.

“That’s the level he’s at.”

Arsenal return to their pre-season fixture schedule on Thursday with a clash against north London rivals Tottenham.

They then host Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium before facing Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup a week before the new season.

A trip to Manchester United awaits them on the opening weekend and Arteta could name a new-look starting XI at Old Trafford.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres have all signed.

Gyokeres’ £63.7million move to Arsenal was confirmed on Saturday to take their summer spending to north of £200m.

The Swedish striker could make his debut for the Gunners against Spurs.