Introduction: Arsenal Include Two 15-Year-Olds in Pre-Season Asia Tour Squad
Arsenal left fans amazed by including two teenagers in their first-team squad for the preseason Asia tour. The duo includes 15-year-old Max Dowman and Marli Salmon. This is a surprising move that proves Arsenal’s confidence in youth players and long-term plan.
A Golden Chance for the Youth
Pre-season tour is also a dream experience for young players. They train with the first team and are mentored by the best professionals. For Marli Salmon and Max Dowman, it is a dream come true.
They are the youngest in the visiting contingent. The fact that they’ve been able to survive is an indication that Arsenal are thinking ahead and making an investment in the future crop of players.
Who is Max Dowman?
Max Dowman is a holding midfielder. He was at Arsenal’s academy for a couple of years. His coaches have positive things to say about him for maturity and ball ability.
Dowman has already played for Arsenal’s Under-18 team even though he is extremely young. He impressed with his vision, passing, and pressure calmness.
Dowman is typically being compared to the world’s top midfielders like Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fàbregas, who also joined the first team at a young age.
What is Marli Salmon?
Marli Salmon is a center defensive player. He is strong in physique, quick, and possesses a good sense of the game. Like Dowman, he has been with Arsenal’s youth for years.
Salmon has represented the Under-16 and Under-18 teams. He is known for his courage and leadership on the pitch.
There is no question among Arsenal fans regarding how he would handle the pressure of training with the best talents. Being part of the tour will further speed up his growth.
What This Means for Arsenal
By retaining two 15-year-olds in the tour squad, Arsenal are having confidence in their youth policy. Manager Mikel Arteta is eager to build a team where youthful quality is complemented with experienced pros.
Arsenal recently handed chances to young stars like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Ethan Nwaneri. Dowman and Salmon might be next.
This is also a way through which Arsenal manages to keep their spending under check. They don’t spend a lot of money on each position. They provide young players in the academy with opportunities.
Reaction of the Fans
Fans of Arsenal all around the world have reacted with disbelief and enthusiasm. They all call it a shrewd decision. They believe that providing young players with early exposure is beneficial for them.
Other people also mentioned that it is a testament to the good youth policy of Arsenal. The club has a reputation for producing world-class players, and it is still pursuing it.
Author’s Opinion: youth of Arsenal
Arsenal are on the right track. Offering Max Dowman and Marli Salmon this chance will increase their morale and will help them develop faster. Yes, 15 is quite young. But then there were players such as Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott who made headlines at that age. If they are good enough, they’re old enough. Being part of the first team away on tour means that they will be practicing in first-class facilities. They will also be learning from first-class personnel like Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Jesus.
Arteta is creating something in the long term. He is not doing it for the short term only. He wants his players to be solid for a long time. For that, young players need to be trusted and provided with an ascending career graph. Salmon or Dowman will probably not play full games abroad. But even as substitutes or for some minutes, it will prove to be a priceless experience. They’ll return to the academy teams when they return from the tour. But they’ll be improved, brighter, and hungrier. And in a year or two, who knows? They might be in the first team permanently.
For Arsenal, it’s proof of intelligent planning. And for the two of them, it might be the start of very good things.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
