Gilberto Silva has said Mikel Arteta must protect Max Dowman and not put too much pressure on the youngster after his breakthrough at Arsenal.
Dowman, who doesn’t turn 16 until the end of the year, is the latest gem to roll off the Hale End Academy production line.
Excitement around the midfielder’s potential has been building for well over a year following Arteta’s decision to allow the forward to train with the first team on a regular basis.
And after impressing over the summer on Arsenal’s pre-season tour, Dowman has been integrated further into the first-team squad this season.
The teenager became the second youngest player in the club’s history when he made a cameo appearance against Leeds United in August.
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However, the England Under-19 international has seen few opportunities since then, even returning to play for Arsenal’s Under-21 side in recent weeks to provide him with regular minutes.
However, former Gunners midfielder Silva believes that Arsenal’s slow approach with Dowman is the right one, and insisted Arteta should not put too much expectation on the 15-year-old’s shoulder at this stage of his career.
‘Max Dowman, wow. I saw him in pre-season,’ Silva told GiveMeSport when asked about the talented teenager.
‘You know what I really like, with these young players, that kind of personality. It doesn’t matter how young they are, they play with personality.
‘Don’t be scared or afraid of trying things, dribbling, giving a pass, trying something different with their ability.
‘This is so important to build their confidence, but also it’s important to give them time.
‘Don’t put so much pressure on them. Help them with the pressure, because if you play football it doesn’t matter where you are, you are under pressure.
‘It doesn’t matter if you’re young or a senior player, you are under pressure always to perform when you put the shirt on.
‘But the job of the manager, the club, the senior players, is to give those younger talents the support they need to perform and don’t get distracted from what is around them.’
Despite his limited minutes so fr this season, Dowman’s obvious potential has already generated interest from clubs outside north London.
Recent reports suggest that Real Madrid were left ‘purring’ when they saw him play for the Young Lions in September and have sent scouts to watch him again during this October break.
Dowman currently on a scholarship contract and cannot sign a professional deal until his 17th birthday on December 31, 2026.
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