Arsenal didn’t play properly at Mansfield. They have been dominated initially of the sport, pegged again within the second half and held on a bit of on the finish. However regardless of which interval they have been in, Max Dowman excelled.
The very best participant in Mikel Arteta’s workforce of their FA Cup fifth-round win was a 16-year-old – in a facet which had senior internationals and first-team stars.
Though Dowman is extremely rated, such an “exceptional” efficiency – as Arteta put it after the sport – was nonetheless a shock.
This was his first senior look for Arsenal in 123 days – when he grew to become the youngest Champions League participant at Slavia Prague – after his first damage saved him away from the highlight for 4 months. This was additionally an intense setting, with a raucous FA Cup crowd – but in addition a pitch that bobbled.
Dowman was additionally attempting to make an impression throughout an unsettled Arsenal workforce, as accidents pressured Arteta’s workforce to discipline a again three for the primary time in 4 and a half years. The Arsenal supervisor joked his workforce solely skilled with that system as soon as, for 10 minutes on Friday.
And but, the teen nonetheless delivered for his workforce. Regardless of the context, Dowman’s fearlessness was proven by him having probably the most pictures and probably the most dribbles for Arsenal, regardless of taking part in in a congested central midfield position.
Dowman was clearly Arsenal’s finest participant on a day once they weren’t superb
He ought to have gotten on the scoresheet after a couple of minutes, when goalkeeper Liam Roberts gifted him the ball just for him to search out the Mansfield goalkeeper.
After the League One facet threatened to take a shock lead, Dowman’s capability to create two possibilities in two minutes down the opposite finish settled issues down for Arsenal. After that, these skilled gamers he was named alongside saved on searching for Dowman, even in moments of problem, which tells you the way a lot belief there’s on this younger expertise.
His standout second within the sport got here within the second half, when he was given the ball by Piero Hincapie within the centre circle regardless of having two Mansfield defenders round him.
A fast one-two with Christian Norgaard and he was away from them. Then he beat two extra defenders to crack a shot which Roberts simply tipped extensive. He handled skilled footballers like mannequins.
“Quality,” mentioned Arteta about Dowman’s ball-carrying capability at Mansfield. “Because the ball is bouncing all over the place, and you have people on your back.
Dowman takes on George Abbott
“The way he handles the time, the space, the touches that he takes is just incredible. Especially at the speed that he delivers those actions. That tells you the talent that he has.”
However what additionally stood out about Dowman’s show is his defensive work. No Arsenal outfield participant managed extra ball recoveries than the younger midfielder, who additionally ranked high for duels gained and possessions gained within the defensive third.
With Norgaard needing assist as the one defensive-minded midfielder within the Arsenal workforce, Dowman had the maturity and the mindset to present him that assist.
Such a efficiency shouldn’t be regular for a participant of Dowman’s age. Fellow 16-year-old Marli Salmon is 4 months older than him however his mistake to permit Mansfield’s equaliser goes to indicate how straightforward it may go mistaken for these kids.
However Dowman retains ticking off the data. Youngest Arsenal starter, youngest Premier League participant for Arsenal, youngest Champions League participant full cease and now the Gunners’ youngest FA Cup participant.
The problem round Dowman is: when will the following alternative come? This week sees Arsenal enter the latter levels of the Champions League and with a Premier League title race, a Carabao Cup remaining and now the latter levels of the FA Cup to come back, the place can Arteta safely use {the teenager} to construct on this show?
The reply is: each time he likes. This efficiency at Mansfield has proven Dowman will be trusted in a tense scenario.
