Mikel Arteta confirms 15-year-old wonderkid can’t help Arsenal’s injury crisis due to little-known Premier League rule
Arsenal’s hopes of fielding wonderkid Max Dowman have been dealt an abrupt blow due to a little-known Premier League rule. The Gunners are facing an attacking injury crisis with a number of key stars being ruled out for the foreseeable future. Dowman won’t be able to play for Arsenal’s first team this seasonGetty Most notably, Kai Havertz has suffered a season-ending hamstring injury and will undergo surgery in the hope of being fit for next season. With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all ruled out as well, Mikel Arteta had hopes of blooding 15-year-old starlet Dowman into the first team fold after he impressed during the recent warm weather training camp in Dubai. However the attacking midfielder is unable to play for Arsenal in the Premier League with competition rules stating that players in a matchday squad can’t be from an age group younger than the under-16s. Having been named in an U15 squad at the start of the season, Arteta confirmed that an immediate first team call-up is not on the cards. He explained: “We had Max, we had many other kids as well there [in Dubai]. “It was a big opportunity for us to see them in our environment. “It’s clear the rules on age and restrictions at the moment and very difficult to change that as well.” It means that Arsenal have just three options up top – Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri. With Havertz out until next season and Jesus a long-term absentee with a knee injury, fans had been hoping to see Saka back in action before long. However talkSPORT understands that the England star won’t be rushed back despite their injury problems. Dowman shone during Arsenal’s recent trip to DubaiGetty It comes after the news that Havertz’ season is over due to a hamstring injuryRex Next up for Arsenal is a Premier League clash with Leicester – a contest that could see them close the gap on leaders Liverpool to four points following their 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby with Everton. “That helps,” Arteta said. “It seems like it helps when you see your team performing, what we’ve done in the Champions League and what we’re doing in the league with all the conditions that we’re in, that’s massive belief. “The players’ reaction is one that gives me the mood that I’m in, that they want more and they’re not satisfied and they’re not going to stop with that. “I better not tell you the story of what happened [when I was watching the Everton v Liverpool game]! “It was a funny one because I was watching the tablet and I lost connection so we didn’t know exactly what was going on. Arteta could be facing another selection headache amid the new injuryGetty “That’s the beauty of football, the uncertainty and that’s the fact for everybody. “It’s not the first time for everybody, it’s really difficult to win matches in this league. “That’s why the hope and the ambition are always there because to do it consistently for ten months, it’s a very, very long league.” 1: Premier League Fixtures & Results
Arsenal’s hopes of fielding wonderkid Max Dowman have been dealt an abrupt blow due to a little-known Premier League rule.
The Gunners are facing an attacking injury crisis with a number of key stars being ruled out for the foreseeable future.
Most notably, Kai Havertz has suffered a season-ending hamstring injury and will undergo surgery in the hope of being fit for next season.
With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all ruled out as well, Mikel Arteta had hopes of blooding 15-year-old starlet Dowman into the first team fold after he impressed during the recent warm weather training camp in Dubai.
However the attacking midfielder is unable to play for Arsenal in the Premier League with competition rules stating that players in a matchday squad can’t be from an age group younger than the under-16s.
Having been named in an U15 squad at the start of the season, Arteta confirmed that an immediate first team call-up is not on the cards.
He explained: “We had Max, we had many other kids as well there [in Dubai].
“It was a big opportunity for us to see them in our environment.
“It’s clear the rules on age and restrictions at the moment and very difficult to change that as well.”
It means that Arsenal have just three options up top – Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri.
With Havertz out until next season and Jesus a long-term absentee with a knee injury, fans had been hoping to see Saka back in action before long.
However talkSPORT understands that the England star won’t be rushed back despite their injury problems.
Next up for Arsenal is a Premier League clash with Leicester – a contest that could see them close the gap on leaders Liverpool to four points following their 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby with Everton.
“That helps,” Arteta said.
“It seems like it helps when you see your team performing, what we’ve done in the Champions League and what we’re doing in the league with all the conditions that we’re in, that’s massive belief.
“The players’ reaction is one that gives me the mood that I’m in, that they want more and they’re not satisfied and they’re not going to stop with that.
“I better not tell you the story of what happened [when I was watching the Everton v Liverpool game]!
“It was a funny one because I was watching the tablet and I lost connection so we didn’t know exactly what was going on.
“That’s the beauty of football, the uncertainty and that’s the fact for everybody.
“It’s not the first time for everybody, it’s really difficult to win matches in this league.
“That’s why the hope and the ambition are always there because to do it consistently for ten months, it’s a very, very long league.”
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