I don’t think it’s wrong as such but it should be very carefully managed, too much too soon can cause problems for young lads especially at this level the pace of the game is relentless. If they think he’s ready and good enough I suppose it’s pointless leaving him in youth football because it’s not very competitive. If Saka is out injured I expect they’ll start Madueke on the right now and Eze on the left but this lad will likely get minutes off the bench and that’s the right way to do it imo.
If a massive PL club, going for the title, have to rely on children I'd say they've got off to a poor start ... ... if it was the last few games, and they were down to the bare bones, that's a different matter.
OK so tell me when you've been in that situation and why you're not any longer ... ... now that you've put your cards on the table.
I think it’s class seeing a 15 year old get a game for Arsenal. They were 4-0 up and coasting, he looked every bit ready to play. Saka was only few months older, Rooney too I think, Rigg was younger. Leicester played 2 similar age today. Good enough, old enough.
I can categorically say that i've been involved at clubs where they have a kid who's supremely talented but are unsure if he's ready to play. Dowman has been in and around their first team training for a long time now and extensive discussions and analysis would've taken place. Most clubs have a psychologist who will have input, all the fitness people will have input and the players themselves will have input. It's not like they've dragged him from the u16s to play a PL game, the lad has been playing well beyond his age group for years.
I regularly conducted physiological tests for academy and better players to ascertain their V02 Max and ensure that all markers were as they should based on the most accurate measurements possible. Moreover, this always fitted into the player development pathway, including the needs of the player in terms of fitness recommendations and links to nutritionists. Hope this is sufficient.
My point is that Arsenal, as genuine title challengers, should have other players available for those positions ... ... if they haven't, why not?
Just about old enough to remember Rooney breaking on to the scene. 16 year old, taking the piss out of a great Arsenal team. Should be celebrated the type of things just imo, bet his family is buzzing. Good enough for the Prem when doing you GCSE's and already an assist on your record. I was drinking tins of fosters in the woods with me mates when I was 15 haha
Because Dowman is talented and they wanted to give him minutes when they had the game won He isnt going to play loads for them but they'll give him minutes when they see fit
Exactly, he isnt a key player to him so it's nice to give him minutes every so often Dowman is not going to decide whether Arsenal win the league or not
Even then. The development mentally and emotionally, experiencing this with the support around him, elite levels of human being support. He is lucky to have such an opportunity. 99% would kill for it and the population would be better for it. Some people literally have no idea what they are talking about.
We're talking about a player, in a PL title chasing team, who's being asked to play in that game ... ... you never had that responsibility. You've never dealt with a player in that situation so don't pretend you have.
They have. They also had Martinelli, a Brazilian international, on the bench. Just at 4-0 and coasting they clearly seen an opportunity to blood the lad. His confidence will rocket and he potentially grows faster. He’s been known and seen as a top level of elite prospect for a while now. Been training with first team squad since last season.
Ah smug you're embarrassing yourself here but that's no surprise. You have no idea what you're talking about
