Max Dowman’s Arsenal pathway is of utmost priority to the club as Martin Odegaard’s future could be intrinsically linked
Max Dowman broke through at the age of 15 into the Arsenal senior setup, coming on at Anfield, becoming the youngest debutant in the Champions League and the youngest ever Premier League goalscorer with his goal against Everton. The player is considered to be the very best in his age bracket.
With a Premier League winners’ medal now secure, the task next season is to get more game time and establish himself across more matches. The likelihood of starting games week in week out appears tricky, but far from impossible with the talent everyone has now witnessed.
After his goal against Everton, Mikel Arteta spoke to the press about the manner in which his team had won the game courtesy of Dowman’s efforts. What he told the media when asked what message he’d given to the teenager said it all.
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“Go and do your thing and win us the game,” he said. “And the same with Viktor and to Martinelli.
“I said these are the moments in the season when something special has to happen, and he knows he has the ability, which I have to give him the opportunity, and he will deliver.”
One player whose future remains a little uncertain is Martin Odegaard. The persistent injuries combined with a lack of known talks to extend his current deal have risen question marks over whether the club captain could have played his last game.
No doubt this would be a considerable shock, and football.london understands Arteta remains hugely supportive of Odegaard. However, were a serious offer to come in from known interested parties like Bayern Munich, there is no doubt it would be considered.
However, for Dowman, Odegaard’s presence could be extremely beneficial for the player’s pathway. Were Odegaard to leave, it’s likely that Arsenal would look to add further reinforcement.
The club are interested in Morgan Rogers regardless of Odegaard’s situation, with the hope that he could operate on the left. But perhaps would play more centrally if the skipper departed.
Dowman, despite playing plenty of minutes out wide, is seen as a central attacking midfielder of the future. 23-year-old Rogers, compared to 27-year-old, turning 28 in December, Odegaard, creates a very different scenario for a young player trying to find his way into the team.
Odegaard’s mentorship as well as Declan Rice, who has taken Dowman more so under his wing, are incredibly valuable. The Norwegian’s injuries have been more unfortunate and impact-related than fitness-related and the hope is after the World Cup, a sufficient break will allow him to come back stronger for the new season.
Dowman, meanwhile, will have a full pre-season and will be expected to get plenty more minutes in any of the pre-season clashes, potentially including the Community Shield too.
