Mikel Arteta's reaction to Max Dowman debut speaks volumes for Arsenal academy

Mikel Arteta hailed teenager Max Dowman for his “confident” debut while crediting Arsenal ’s academy for creating an environment that allows 15-year-olds to shine on the senior stage.

Dowman scored in a bizarre penalty shootout after the Gunners defeated AC Milan 1-0 in their opening pre-season friendly and he was joined on the pitch by fellow youngster Marli Salmon plus 18-year-old Josh Nichols in the sticky Singapore conditions.

Excitement around Dowman has been building for more than a year and there are high hopes he could feature in the first team squad when the season kicks off next month.

And Arteta was suitably impressed by his cameo against the Serie A side with Dowman showing no sign of being daunted as he occupied the right wing for the final 25 minutes after Bukayo Saka scored the only goal while wearing the captain’s armband.

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“Very happy with all the kids,” Arteta said. “I think they are able to play at that level at 15 years old in my opinion because of the environment and culture that is within the team.

“When somebody makes you feel so comfortable and so confident straightaway you can go and do it. At least it gives you the best chance and then you have to have the qualities this kid has to deliver against opposition like this.

“There is a lot of work in our academy of the coaches, people involved and it is a moment to give opportunities and reward them. They certainly took their chance today in difficult circumstances against a very big team. Incredible how at 15 years old they can perform at that level.”

Saka has said excitement levels are high in the Arsenal dressing room after three of their summer signings made debut appearances against Milan - with at least two more new faces to follow.

Christian Norgaard started and Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga came on as substitutes. Noni Madueke is not yet part of the squad.

And Arteta said of Saka: “We have pushed him through the summer to catch up on a lot of things that he had to to give himself the best chance to exploit his qualities better and more highlighted and with more impact every time physically he's at the highest level.”

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