Arteta salutes 'unbelievable' Dowman after Arsenal's teen star sinks Ipswich

Mikel Arteta praised the remarkable Max Dowman after Arsenal's teenage prodigy helped the team secure a 4-2 victory over Ipswich in the League Cup on Tuesday. The 16-year-old was given his first chance of the season by Arteta, who had previously likened Dowman's skills to those of Lionel Messi when the prodigy turned 15 last season.

Dowman made 13 appearances last season and became the youngest Premier League scorer ever against Everton in March. However, Arteta has been cautious with his usage of the young midfielder, who has been an unused substitute several times this season. During the pre-match buildup, Arteta stated that Dowman would earn his minutes and that he would need to prove himself like any other player.

Despite this, Arteta could not deny that Dowman delivered an "unbelievable" performance against Ipswich, describing him as "unpredictable, fluid, and nice to watch". Dowman's contribution was a standout moment in the game, coming only months after he had completed his GCSE exams. The young Arsenal player expressed his excitement for the future at the club.

While acknowledging the rarity of such a young talent in the Premier League, Arteta emphasized that Arsenal is committed to nurturing Dowman's potential and ensuring his development. With Dowman ready to make an impact, Arsenal will face Brighton in their next match on Saturday, as they aim to maintain their impressive win streak across all competitions.