Max Dowman is causing a lot of excitement in north London (Picture: REUTERS)
Arsenal fans are getting very excited about 16-year-old Max Dowman after his sparkling performance against Ipswich Town, but Danny Murphy sees a problem ahead for the teenager.
The Gunners prospect scored twice in the 4-2 win in the Carabao Cup at Portman Road, starting for the first time this season.
The youngster does not turn 17 until December 31, but will surely get more chances to shine in the near future after an eye-catching display against another Premier League team.
Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy is very impressed by Dowman, but feels breaking into Arsenal’s league side will be difficult for now given who is ahead of him.
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He sees Dowman as most suitable for the right-wing role or at no.10, but with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in Mikel Arteta’s squad, progress could be difficult.
‘The little problem he’s got by being at such a wonderful club and also, when you think of Arsenal’s main player, Saka, his best position is where Saka plays,’ Murphy told talkSPORT.
‘And even if you move him into a 10, which is a more responsible position defensively, you’ve got Odegaard playing out of his skin, who’s the captain.
Bukayo Saka is unlikely to be displaced in the starting XI (Picture: Getty Images)
‘So, unless you fit him in on the left, which you could do, but it’s a difficult one.’
After the game, Arteta had high praise for both Dowman and 17-year-old defender Marli Salmon, who also started the game.
‘A joy to have him, Marli as well, 16-years-old, to play at the level with the physicality that they have to be able to handle that level, it’s remarkable,’ said the Gunners boss.
‘And Max, yeah, it’s inevitable to talk about him when he scores and he creates the moments that he has created tonight – it’s normal.’
Arteta added: ‘We’re going to make sure that when we just throw him there, he’s ready to handle that at every level, and it’s not just that he can run past somebody.
‘There’s a lot more things that we need to look after him, but he will dictate that in terms of how he behaves every single day and how many reasons he gives to play because he’s part of our squad, like anybody else, no different.
Dowman will hope for more chances to shine soon with Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images)
‘The only thing that we have to manage is that he needs to constantly be aware that he needs to be prepared for what he needs to do.’
Murphy did try and cool expectations a bit after Dowman’s performance on Tuesday, pointing out that it was against an under-strength Ipswich side.
‘The only caution I’d have is that ultimately he’s playing against half a reserve Ipswich side,’ he said. ‘No disrespect to them, but they’ve changed a few players and Arsenal vs Ipswich is a David and Goliath game.
‘The games he’s come on as sub and had those impactful moments and looked good, it’s when games are stretched and against opposition they’ve already pummeled mainly.
‘So let’s just wait and see. Give him time to breathe. 16 years of age.’
