Mikel Arteta believes Max Dowman has the experience and ability to deal with the physical challenges he faces from opponents, despite being only 16 years old. The Arsenal manager says the youngster has been targeted by players trying to stop him from showcasing his dribbling skills since he was eight.
The comments follow Dowman’s straight red card during Arsenal’s Carabao Cup exit against Fleetwood Town. The teenager was dismissed after reacting to a strong challenge, with Arteta unhappy that the decision was not overturned.
Arteta explains the challenge facing Max Dowman
Arteta insists that young players with exceptional ability do not have to wait until they reach the top level to experience opponents trying to stop them. He explained that Dowman has faced this kind of treatment throughout his development.
“Those players, it’s not that they come into the Premier League or La Liga or in France, where there are a few cases as well, and they learn on the day or the next few months,” Arteta said.
“Those players have experienced that since they were eight years old. Everybody tries to stop those kinds of players.”
Arsenal teenager used to physical treatment
The Arsenal boss also highlighted how players must learn to deal with the physical side of the game, as well as the tricks and tactics opponents use against them.
“It’s something you’re born with, and you become educated in it, the power of the way you’re getting hit, or the tricks that all players know and the kids don’t know; you have to handle that better,” Arteta explained.
However, he is confident Dowman is already accustomed to these situations, pointing out that the teenager encounters the same challenge during training.
“But Max is so used to it because he has it there and in training as well because nobody wants to be dribbled past by a 15-year-old or 16-year-old.”