Arteta responds after Messi tips Dowman for the top

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Lionel Messi has named Max Dowman among a group of young players he believes could enjoy outstanding careers, and Mikel Arteta has now responded to the endorsement from one of the sport's greatest ever players.

Dowman broke into Arsenal's first team at just 15 and has continued to impress whenever given the opportunity, including a direct contribution to the Gunners' title success last season. Praise from Messi inevitably amplifies the attention already building around the teenager.

Speaking via Standard Sport, Arteta was asked for his reaction to Messi's comments on Dowman and chose to defer to the Argentine's judgement rather than make bold claims of his own.

"If Messi, who is the best ever player, says that," Arteta said. "His eyes are I think better than anybody else's. Hopefully he's right."

Interest from north of the border

Despite the growing hype, Dowman has not received as much first team playing time as he might like. He has reportedly attracted interest from both Celtic and Rangers, who are said to be considering a loan move for the youngster in January.

Arsenal, however, are understood to want Dowman to remain with the first team squad, continuing to learn and train alongside senior players rather than heading out on loan at such an early stage of his development.

Managing the hype carefully

Arteta's measured response reflected an awareness that comparisons and expectations can quickly spiral for a player as young as Dowman. Respecting Messi's eye for talent without endorsing any specific prediction allows the club to keep focus on the player's actual progress rather than external hype.

Dowman still has a long way to go before fulfilling the promise others see in him, and Arsenal will be conscious of the pitfalls that have derailed other highly rated young talents in the past. Careful management of his minutes and responsibilities is likely to remain the priority in the months ahead, with Messi's praise simply adding to the list of notable endorsements the teenager has already picked up.