One Arsenal star is due to go on holiday ahead of season opener

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that one Arsenal player will take a holiday in the coming days, with the Premier League opener in under two weeks.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that 15 year-old Max Dowman is due to go on holiday in the coming days, as the teenager is yet to have a substantial break following his under-17 European Championship campaign with England.

Dowman came on as a substitute in the second-half minute during Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Villarreal at Emirates Stadium this evening. The Englishman made an instant impact, and won a penalty after being fouled by Pau Navarro in the penalty area. Captain, Martin Ødegaard subsequently converted from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit.

The Hale End Academy product has featured in Arsenal’s pre-season fixtures against AC Milan and Newcastle United during the club’s tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. In a similar nature to that at The Emirates, Dowman also won a penalty against the Magpies, which Ødegaard scored to win the game.

The youngster has been impressing throughout the last year, and became the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Youth League history when he scored for Arsenal’s under-19 team against Atalanta at a mind-blowing 14 years-old.

The attacking midfielder has scored 20 goals and provided 10 assists in 25 appearances for Arsenal’s under-18 team, after making his debut at 13 in September 2023.

The midfielder has been training with Arsenal’s first team during the summer, and is now eligible to represent the first-team, after FA regulations barred him from doing so last campaign.

Arsenal face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday at The Emirates in their final pre-season fixture, which Dowman is now not expected to be available for. The Premier League season then begins for the Gunners on the following weekend, as they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.