Mikel Arteta’s Max Dowman decision suggests Arsenal could receive big injury boost vs Man City

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15-year-old Max Dowman has already featured in four of Arsenal’s match day squads under Mikel Arteta this season. 

Arsenal’s Hale End academy has produced some remarkable talents over the years, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

However, Max Dowman might still have the most potential, as he demonstrated for Arsenal in pre-season.

But ahead of Arsenal vs Manchester City in the Premier League, Arteta made the decision to relinquish Dowman to the U21s.

Dowman played 74 minutes and scored for Arsenal in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League 2, suggesting that he won’t be involved vs Man City at the Emirates a day later.

Max Dowman call might mean Martin Odegaard is back fit for Arsenal

That being said, Dowman dropping down to the U21s might suggest that Arsenal will receive a big injury boost against City.

Dowman has featured in Arteta’s last three Premier League squads, but perhaps his spot will now be taken by the returning Martin Odegaard or Bukayo Saka.

READ MORE: What Stan and Josh Kroenke really do during Arsenal transfers revealed

Ahead of facing Pep Guardiola’s side, Arteta refused to rule Odegaard or Saka out, even if they weren’t spotted training in the club’s latest selection of photos. 

But perhaps Dowman dropping down to the U21s suggests that either Odegaard or Saka will be ready to return to the bench on Sunday, a big boost for the Gunners.

Discussing the pair’s readiness, along with Ben White, Arteta said: “If there is a chance, it will be after tomorrow’s session because they haven’t done anything yet, so we’ll have more information tomorrow.

“Everything has been modified so far for them. There are still a few things to clear and tomorrow we’ll have more information on whether they are part of the squad or if they have a chance to be part of the squad.”

Cristhian Mosquera should make way for William Saliba on Sunday

In terms of selection decisions for Arteta on Sunday, William Saliba should be ready to start up against Erling Haaland.

During Saliba’s short absence owing to injury, summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has thrived at centre-back.

Martin Keown loved Mosquera’s Champions League debut for Arsenal in midweek, and it would seem harsh to drop the Spaniard against City.

However, a player of Saliba’s quality always demands a spot in the starting eleven, and his partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes has been so crucial.

Aside from Mosquera, fellow La Liga signing Martin Zubimendi is now almost in that Saliba category – he’s a guaranteed starter in the biggest games when he’s fully fit.

And ahead of facing City for the first time in Arsenal colours, Mikel Merino has discussed Zubimendi’s early form at his new side.