Arteta ‘very proud’ of Arsenal duo – and provides updates on duo’s injuries after being forced off in FA Cup win over Mansfield | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Max Dowman for his “exceptional” performance, as his side progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over League One side Mansfield Town.

The visitors took the lead through Noni Madueke’s curling strike before Will Evans levelled for Mansfield early in the second half.

However, substitute Eberechi Eze made the decisive impact, producing a superb finish from the edge of the box to restore Arsenal’s advantage and seal their place in the last eight.

While Madueke and Eze found the scoresheet, it was another English midfielder who caught the eye. At just 16 years of age, Max Dowman dazzled once again in the Arsenal side. 

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The 16-year-old registered three shots on target and created several chances, drawing high praise from his manager.

“Well, [I am] very proud of him, very proud as well of Marli (Salmon),” Arteta said.

“Obviously, two 16-year-olds starting in the FA Cup. That tells us a lot about them, their personality and the quality that they have. 

“And Max, I think he was exceptional,” he said. 

Dowman had been out since November with an ankle injury, but showed no signs that the injury had affected him, embarking on mazy runs through Mansfield’s midfield with ease.

“[It says a lot about] his quality,” Arteta continued. “Because when the ball is bouncing all over the place and you have people in your back, the way he handles time and space and the touches that he takes, it’s just incredible. 

“Especially at the speed that he delivers those actions. But that tells you the talent that we have,” Arteta added.

Arteta also explained that Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori were forced off during the game with “niggles”.

“Both of them had little niggles. They were uncomfortable to continue.

“I knew this could be a possibility, especially with the conditions we were playing today so we had to take them off.”

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