Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has praised Arsenal teenage duo Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman and believes both of them could make a serious impact this season.
Mikel Arteta handed Nwaneri his debut against Brentford in September 2022 and became the club’s youngest-ever player in the process, aged 15 years and 181 days. He had to wait almost 18 months for his second appearance, as he came on as a second-half substitute in a 6-0 win at West Ham.
But last season, the 18-year-old was given more game time and he showed his real potential. He scored nine times and added two assists in 37 matches for the Gunners and was rewarded with a consistent run in the XI when Bukayo Saka was out injured after undergoing surgery.
As for Dowman, he hasn’t made his competitive first-team debut yet, but he impressed in a cameo appearance against AC Milan during Arsenal’s pre-season tour on Wednesday. The 15-year-old excellent for the Under 18s last season, scoring 19 times in 23 matches.
After watching the Gunners beat Milan 1-0 in Singapore, Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: “Everyone who watched the podcast knows that there’s a different energy about me when I’m talking about young players.
“I was the same with Kobbie Mainoo in the Euros, Phil Foden when he first burst onto the scene, Cole Palmer, Lamine Yamal, obviously, Desire Doue, great young players who just get you off your seat. You watch them and go, ‘Oh, yeah! Give me some more of that!’
“This player played one pre-season game. I spoke about him in November and I’ve probably spoken about him a bit before that as well because I’ve seen him before as a young kid. Max Dowman, don’t forget that name. Arsenal have produced another young gem.”
Ferdinand added: “They’ve got Nwaneri coming through, too, and I think this season could be his proper breakout year. I hope it will be. They’ve already had [Bukayo] Saka for a few years now who seems like an elder statesman in this changing room and there are 15-year-olds knocking about like Max Dowman.
“He’s become one of the youngest Arsenal players to play at the club in a pre-season friendly in Singapore, against AC Milan by the way. Not minnows… AC Milan. It’s early days but it looks like Declan Rice has taken him under his wing, he posted a picture of him on the coach travelling about.”
Arsenal are next in action when they take on Newcastle United on Sunday. Arteta’s side then face Tottenham in Hong Kong before returning home to England to host Villarreal and Athletic Club.
