Arteta praises 'unbelievable' Dowman after Arsenal youngster dismantles Ipswich

[p]Arteta handed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/max-dowman/WzLvGkGO/"]Dowman[/a] his first appearance this season and the 16-year-old seized his chance with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/arsenal-hA1Zm19f/ipswich-thqhB2MB/?mid=4l0c4cso"]two goals and an assist in the third-round tie at Portman Road[/a].[/p][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Gunners[/a] boss once compared Dowman to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Lionel Messi[/a] after the precocious playmaker burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old last season.[/p][p][b]He played 13 times last season and became the youngest Premier League scorer ever against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/everton/KluSTr9s/"]Everton[/a] in March.[/b][/p][image alt="Dowman's performance vs Ipswich" id="f1240035-0edc-4321-b0cc-81357739b566" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="03b8fe41-500e-413d-9529-674600bce0f2" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]But Arteta has been cautious in his use of Dowman, who has been an unused substitute several times this term.[/p][p]Before the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ipswich/thqhB2MB/"]Ipswich[/a] game, Arteta said Dowman [b]"will have his minutes and he will have to earn them like anybody else"[/b].[/p][p]He has little need to hurry Dowman's development because Premier League champions Arsenal have so much experience and quality in their ranks.[/p][embed guid="0f1363b9-f44d-402d-a32d-f28139c36835" url="https://x.com/Carabao_Cup/status/2099981758850584827?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]However, even Arteta had to admit Dowman had delivered a masterclass against Ipswich.[/p][p][b]"Unbelievable, he's unpredictable, he can go either way, so fluid, so nice to watch,"[/b] the Spaniard said.[/p][p]Dowman's previous appearance had come in the final game of last season against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/crystal-palace/AovF1Mia/"]Crystal Palace[/a], when Arsenal were already crowned champions.[/p][p]He has since completed his GCSE exams and is looking forward to a bright future with Arsenal.[/p][p]Dowman's potential is obvious, but becoming a key player for Arsenal won't be easy.[/p][p]Many teenage stars have flamed out before reaching their potential and Arteta is determined to be a nurturing presence for the youngster.[/p][p][b]"He is 16, we don't really see that in the Premier League," [/b]Arteta said.[/p][p][b]"In this environment, we want to develop him and we need to look after him."[/b][/p][embed guid="a471b817-3617-4d6e-b9ce-7d56c860e38f" url="https://x.com/Arsenal/status/2100117669739724827?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]With Dowman waiting in the wings, Arsenal will return to action at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/2XrRecc3/"]Brighton[/a] on Saturday in their last game before the international break.[/p][p]Arteta's team have won all six of their matches this season across the Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup.[/p][p]Having made a host of changes against Ipswich, Arteta was impressed with the desire of his understudies.[/p][p][b]"That's what we want to, to face every game, every competition with the same mentality, attitude and desire and so far we are doing it,"[/b] he said.[/p]