Arsenal wonderkid who’s just FOURTEEN called up to first team training as fans say ‘Arteta is building a dynasty’
ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta had fans dreaming after calling up a teeange wonderkid to first-team training ahead of the Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
The Gunners host the Cherries on Saturday at the Emirates as they chase their first Prem title since their Invincibles triumph in 2004.
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And Arteta included Under-18 starlet Max Dowman, who joined his senior squad for today’s training session at the young age of 14.
Dowman plays as an attacking midfielder and can also operate on the right wing.
The teenager’s inclusion brought a big smile on Arsenal fans’ face as many believe the Spanish tactician is already building the team’s future.
One supporter tweeted: “Incredible heights Max is reaching already. One of the youngest to ever train with Arsenal’s 1st team.”
Another commented: “Unbelievable level.”
A third wrote: “Mikel Arteta is building a football dynasty, he will dominate this league for a very long period of time.”
Another stated: “That’s crazy. He’s playing with players twice his size and strength.”
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Dowman has made three appearances for Arsenal’s Under-16 side and has also registered one goal as well as four assists in five matches for the Under-18s.
Arteta is very big on giving opportunities to young players at the Emirates.
Ethan Nwaneri, 17, made history two years ago when he became the youngest ever player to compete in the Premier League at the age of 15.
Nwaneri came off the bench and helped the North Londoners beat Brentford 3-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s striker shopping list
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world-class striker in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.
Mikel Arteta splashed out £204.5m last summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
But the Spanish manager accepts he needs a proven goalscorer to take the club to the next level.
And here are the players he is looking at to get the Gunners firing:
BENJAMIN SESKO (RB Leipzig, value £40m-£45m)
One for the future at 20 years old. Scored 16 goals for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and the Slovenian has carried on that good form in Germany with Leipzig this campaign.
VIKTOR GYOKERES (Sporting Lisbon, value £60m-£80m)
Been scouted several times this season. The Swedish striker, 25, is more of a traditional No 9 so may not suit Arsenal’s demand for flexibility but would bring a physicality that boss Mikel Arteta craves.
ALEXANDER ISAK (Newcastle, value £75m-£85m)
Impressed in his first two seasons in English football. The Swede, 24, has the pace and finesse to match his finishing ability, and Eddie Howe’s Toon may need to sell to balance the books this summer.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (Bologna, value £45m-£50m)
Dutch wonder is attracting the attentions of clubs across Europe. At 6ft 4in the 22-year-old forward would have no trouble adapting to the Premier League and already has an eye for goal.
XAVI SIMONS (RB Leipzig, value £70m-£80m)
An incredible talent in the Bukayo Saka mould, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The future of the Dutch attacker, 20, depends on how much money his parent club want to make from him.
