Mikel Arteta fires challenge to Max Dowman over reduced Arsenal role

The 16-year-old enjoyed a breakout season last term, becoming the youngest player to feature in the Champions League and then the youngest Premier League scorer with his solo goal against Everton in March.

Dowman is yet to feature this season, though, with his first-team involvement limited to being an unused substitute on four occasions, and he did not make the bench against Sunderland.

Max Dowman

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Arteta made it clear nothing will be handed to Dowman easily, though he is keen to given the teenager opportunities even with Arsenal having such strength in depth.

"Well, I wish we could have him [at Sunderland], but we have a limitation with the numbers we have," Arteta said.

"Max will have his chance. He will have his minutes and he will have to earn them like anybody else.

"You know the talent that we have, the players that we have there, we need to help him and find a way to make sure he continues to develop."

Arsenal have won all five matches this season and now turn their attention to the Carabao Cup.

They reached the final of the competition last season, losing to Manchester City, and Arteta is confident that motivation among his players is high to go one better this time.

"It's the next game ahead and the next competition," Arteta said.

"We will look at the players' eyes, they will say they want to play, they want to win the game, they want to improve and they want to review the [Sunderland] game and they will be willing for me, because I know the boys."