Mikel Arteta lays down the gauntlet to Max Dowman before Ipswich cup tie | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has challenged 16-year-old Max Dowman to earn his minutes as Arsenal visit Ipswich in the Carabao Cup third round, with places fiercely contested and the schedule unrelenting.

"Max will have his chance. He will have his minutes, and he will have to earn them like anybody else. We know the talent that we have, we know the players that we have there, and we need to help him and find a way to make sure that he continues to develop and help the team," he told the club's official website.

The competition gave Dowman his first Arsenal start last season, a 2-0 win over Brighton in the fourth round. This season the 16-year-old has been an unused substitute on four occasions, including the Napoli trip, as Arteta balances exposure with protection.

Midfield places are tight, with Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze bolstering the attacking options. The cup is a chance for Dowman to press his case, but the manager insists opportunities are earned on the training ground.

This week brings a third competition in quick succession, after a Premier League victory over Chelsea, a Champions League night in Naples, then three points against Sunderland. "We'll look at the players' eyes and they will say they want to play, and 'I want to win a game, and I want to improve'." "They will review the [Sunderland] game, and they will be willing for more because I know the boys."

Source: Goal.com

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