Arteta already has another Max Dowman at Arsenal who was ‘built in a laboratory’

Hale End continues to be an invaluable talent factory for Arsenal.

Three academy stars started Tuesday’s 4-0 demolition of Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, with Bukayo Saka putting in a sparkling display, while Ethan Nwaneri was also introduced to the bench late on.

So while there is still plenty of excitement around big-money summer signings such as Martín Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres, the Gooners still love nothing more than a homegrown prodigy, so should Mikel Arteta give another youngster more playing time?

Max Dowman’s new contract at Arsenal

As The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Thursday, Max Dowman has “reached an agreement” to stay at Arsenal.

Still 15 years old of course, his birthday not being until New Year’s Eve, the prodigy will “sign the terms of a scholarship” before being able to sign a professional contract on his 17th birthday.

After playing an important role during the pre-season tour of Asia, Dowman became the youngest player to appear in a Premier League match in August, coming off the bench against Leeds United, winning a penalty shortly after when he was fouled by Gabriel Gudmundsson.

When the 15-year-old was introduced for the final half hour of an EFL Cup match against Port Vale, it was as if Elvis had entered the building, a hushed silence falling over those outside Vale Park, with supporters murmuring to each other, excited to see what the phenomenon could produce up close and personal before their eyes.

Before this season, Dowman was actually too young to play under-21 football, but he is making up for lost time, scoring in both PL2 appearances to date, against Wolves and West Ham, having also converted two penalties against Atleti in the UEFA Youth League at Meadow Park earlier this week.

So, the Gooners are rightly excited about this kid, while the club members are delighted that he has committed his future to Arsenal.

However, with Arteta’s side chasing silverware this season, should he put another Hale End graduate at the forefront of his side’s title challenge?

Arsenal’s Dowman 2.0 which was ‘built in a laboratory’

So far this season, Riccardo Calafiori has been Arsenal’s undisputed first-choice left-back, starting all eight Premier League matches.

On Tuesday night however, Arteta rotated his entire left side, with Myles Lewis-Skelly coming into the team, and the teenager certainly claimed more minutes.

As the Italy international prepared to come on, Lewis-Skelly collected the ball in the center circle, seemingly outplaying the entire Atlético team before setting up Gabriel Martinelli for the second goal of the evening; an impressed Calafiori duly put his tracksuit and bib back on.

Overall, the England international reaffirmed why he became such an important figure for Arteta last season, with the stats supporting the zeitgeist he showcased in scintillating fashion.

As the numbers highlight, Lewis-Skelly was exceptional against Atlético Madrid, contributing all over the pitch, recording an assist while winning four duels, with Saka the only player to complete more dribbles.

After the match, Arteta described his performance as “incredible”, while in December, when he had only just broken into the first team, Rice said “it was like he was built in a laboratory”, adding: “he can go to the top, this kid is just special, very special”.

The 19-year-old also impressed international manager Thomas Tuchel, starting four of England’s six World Cup qualifiers to date, scoring just 20 minutes into his senior debut against Albania at Wembley in March; a fairytale moment.

So, if he had to be patient at the start of the season, opportunities will present themselves, on the bench without it being his fault, quite simply because Calafiori was excellent.

Last season, the Italian played less than 1,500 minutes of action due to repeated injuries, but already has 709 minutes under his belt this time around.

So, while Arsenal hope to play up to 65 games this season, Arteta will need everyone, and it would take a miracle for Calafiori to remain injury-free throughout, so Lewis-Skelly will have a vital role to play here and now, while Dowman, given he is still only 15, should be considered much more for the future.