Alan Smith ‘surprised’ with what Mikel Arteta has been doing for Max Dowman at Arsenal

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Arsenal youngster Max Dowman made history once again for the Gunners, as he featured in their League Cup clash with Port Vale.

The 15-year-old was tipped for a potential starting role, but made his way on around the hour mark, replacing Bukayo Saka.

While Dowman’s Premier League debut came earlier in the season, it was a first taste of the Carabao Cup for the youngster in midweek.

He became the youngest-ever Arsenal player to feature in the competition. a record that looks tough for anyone to surpass any time soon.

It brought about more minutes and experience for Dowman, who has even surprised Gunners legend Alan Smith.

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Alan Smith surprised by how much game time Max Dowman has got at Arsenal

As Max Dowman continues to make his way into the senior team, there is clearly a lot of hope and promise for the future.

That has been rewarded with opportunities at Arsenal, with three senior competitive appearances following for the youngster.

That is more than what Alan Smith expected, with Mikel Arteta placing plenty of faith in the 15-year-old so far.

Speaking during Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash with Port Vale on Sky Sports, the former striker said: “Arteta surprised me actually, how much involvement and game time is given to Max Dowman.

“So I’m certain Arsenal fans will be glad to see Saka pretty much in one piece.

“The manager is clearly happy with his [Dowman’s] temperament and thinks he can cope with this at such a young age with all the talk of him.”

It is certainly a bit of a departure from what may be expected from a talent as young as Dowman, with there being a fast track into the first team.

Given how involved he has been in senior training over the past year, however, it’s clear that Arsenal feel he is ready for that test.

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Mikel Arteta takes different route from Ethan Nwaneri plan with Max Dowman

The amount of time Dowman has been given is a slight departure from the type of plan Arteta deployed with Ethan Nwaneri.

For Nwaneri, his Arsenal debut at 15 came with plenty of hype, but it took a while for him to be handed a second opportunity.

Time in the academy ranks saw him work his way back to the top, becoming a regular feature in the squad as a result.

However, with Dowman, there has been a clear plan to give him senior minutes in certain moments, stringing together appearances for the side.

Whether that will help with his development remains to be seen, but it’s a slightly different route taken by the manager.