New Max Dowman role could be bad news for £67m Arsenal star

Dowman starts at No.10 against Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup; his rise could limit opportunities for £67m signing Eze, who has struggled to establish himself this season.

Max Dowman has been handed another starting opportunity in the No.10 role as Arsenal face Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday. The 16-year-old impressed with two goals in a 4-2 win over Ipswich Town in the previous round and has been chosen ahead of Eberechi Eze for the central attacking position, with Martin Odegaard on the bench.

Former Arsenal players Adrian Clarke and Perry Groves discussed the implications during talkSPORT's Inside Gooners, with Clarke praising Dowman's "outrageously good" display against Ipswich and suggesting he could feature more in Premier League games with Bukayo Saka sidelined until at least December with a quad injury. Groves acknowledged the quality available to manager Mikel Arteta in that area but suggested Eze must focus on performing wherever he plays, likely on the left wing.

Eze, who joined from Crystal Palace for £67 million last summer on a four-year deal, has managed just five starts across all competitions this season, all deployed on the left flank. Despite scoring as a substitute in the No.10 role against Bayern Munich, he has returned to the wing in subsequent matches and appears unlikely to challenge for the central position.