Mikel Arteta praised an ‘exceptional’ performance from Max Dowman after the teenager marked his return from injury with a stellar display in Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Mansfield.
The 16-year-old became the youngest player within the north London club’s history earlier this season, but an ankle injury had prevented him from constructing on his early progress.
Dowman made his first first team appearance since November on Saturday and was one in every of few Arsenal players to master the tricky conditions.
Gliding across the boggy turf, the teenager was at the guts of Arsenal’s best attacking moves, showing a strength and balance that belied his tender years.
‘Well, I’m very pleased with him, very proud as well of Marli, obviously, two 16-year-olds, starting within the FA Cup,’ said Arteta who also began Marli Salmonin a makeshift defence.
‘That tells us rather a lot about them, their personality and the standard that they’ve.And Max, yeah I feel he was exceptional.’
On how the 2 virtual novices managed to adapt to what became an actual slog, Arteta added: ‘Well, initially, congratulations to them, because to make their [full] debuts within the FA Cup.
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‘I feel Max is the youngest ever within the competition, and this competition has been happening for some time. So, it tells you the way difficult that’s.
‘And I’m very pleased with them, I hope Jaden enjoyed it the identical with their debut. And to proceed to work is just step one for them, and there’s plenty more to return.’
Other than his dribbling ability, Dowman close control represented a hugely eye-catching feature of his best display to date for Arteta’s team.
‘Yes, and quality,’ said Arteta when asked about how the Hale End Academy graduate was capable of master a pitch that was already boggy in places before it was heavily watered ahead of kic-off.
‘Because when the ball is bouncing everywhere and you’ve got people in your back, the best way he handles time and space and the touches that he takes, it’s just incredible.
‘Especially on the speed that he delivers those actions, but that tells you the talent that we now have.’
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Salmon, meanwhile, who was at fault for Will Evans’ equaliser when he played Cristhian Mosquera short with an underhit pass.
‘I even have to look at it back, but I could sense that he was responsible,’ said Arteta when asked to evaluate the defender’s error.
‘It is nice in a way, but don’t lose perspective, because everyone that’s been in that room, that has been at this level, has made an error, a mistake or a situation resulting in a goal, but that’s not vital.
‘The vital thing is the best way he played, and among the things that he’s done on the pitch. I feel that’s rather more vital than the opposite parts.’
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