May 4th 2024.
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad are gearing up for a crucial match against Bournemouth today. The team is fully fit and ready to fight for a win, which would put them four points clear at the top of the table and increase the pressure on Manchester City, who will be playing Wolves later in the day.
In a somewhat surprising move, Arteta invited 14-year-old Max Dowman to train with the first team ahead of the game. The talented teenager has been making waves with the Under-18s this season and has even caught the eye of former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere. Despite his young age, Dowman has already made five appearances at the Under-18 level and has recorded an impressive five assists and one goal.
Wilshere himself had high praise for the young midfielder, saying, "There's always a concern when fielding such a young player in these matches, but if you're good enough, you're old enough." He also acknowledged the need to balance giving Dowman playing time with his age and the importance of his education.
Dowman has also caught the attention of the England national team, having already represented the Under-16s and impressed at the Football Federations Cup. In the unlikely event that he does make an appearance against Bournemouth, Dowman would become the youngest player in Premier League history, breaking the record currently held by his teammate Ethan Nwaneri.
As for the starting line-up, Arteta is expected to stick with the same team for the third consecutive match. The return of Thomas Partey from injury has added strength and style to the midfield, and the experienced Ghanaian is likely to keep his spot in the starting eleven. Young defender Jurrien Timber could also make the bench after being left out of the Under-21 squad that beat Manchester United last night.
Arteta has been cautious about rushing Timber back into action after his long absence due to a knee injury, saying, "We're not going to know until we throw him in." With only three games left in the season, the decision to play Timber will have to be carefully considered. But Arteta believes in the young defender's abilities and is willing to give him a chance to prove himself on the field.
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