Mikel Arteta praises ‘exceptional’ Arsenal star after FA cup win against Mansfield | Football

Mikel Arteta praised an ‘exceptional’ performance from Max Dowman after the teenager marked his return from injury with a stellar display in Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Mansfield.

The 16-year-old became the youngest player in the north London club’s history earlier this season, but an ankle injury had prevented him from building on his early progress.

Dowman made his first first team appearance since November on Saturday and was one of few Arsenal players to master the tricky conditions.

Gliding across the boggy turf, the teenager was at the heart of Arsenal’s best attacking moves, showing a strength and balance that belied his tender years.

‘Well, I’m very proud of him, very proud as well of Marli, obviously, two 16-year-olds, starting in the FA Cup,’ said Arteta who also started Marli Salmonin a makeshift defence.

‘That tells us a lot about them, their personality and the quality that they have.And Max, yeah I think he was exceptional.’

On how the two virtual novices managed to adapt to what became a real slog, Arteta added: ‘Well, first of all, congratulations to them, because to make their [full] debuts in the FA Cup.

‘I think Max is the youngest ever in the competition, and this competition has been going on for a while. So, it tells you how difficult that is.

‘And I’m very proud of them, I hope Jaden enjoyed it the same with their debut. And to continue to work is just the first step for them, and there’s plenty more to come.’

Aside from his dribbling ability, Dowman close control represented a hugely eye-catching feature of his best display so far for Arteta’s team.

‘Yes, and quality,’ said Arteta when asked about how the Hale End Academy graduate was able to master a pitch that was already boggy in places before it was heavily watered ahead of kic-off.

‘Because when the ball is bouncing all over the place and you have people in your back, the way he handles time and space and the touches that he takes, it’s just incredible.

‘Especially at the speed that he delivers those actions, but that tells you the talent that we have.’

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Salmon, meanwhile, who was at fault for Will Evans’ equaliser when he played Cristhian Mosquera short with an underhit pass.

‘I have to watch it back, but I could sense that he was responsible,’ said Arteta when asked to assess the defender’s error.

‘It is good in a way, but don’t lose perspective, because everyone that’s been in that room, that has been at this level, has made an error, a mistake or a situation leading to a goal, but that’s not important.

‘The important thing is the way he played, and some of the things that he’s done on the pitch. I think that’s much more important than the other parts.’

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