Arsenal thread | 2025/26

bridgeno1 said:
I will say that in all our games so far we've looked like the Arsenal of last season (tippy tappy sideways passing) albeit Zubimendi looks class and our best player has been 15 year old Max Dowman who (and I say this with a completely straight face) is already a more effective player than Saka with better dribbling ability and a better shot. I think we'll play him this season and he's not 16 until December.
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I have come across a few clips on Twitter. Incredible he is only 15. Blows my mind. The only other players at around (16ish) that age that blew me away were Aguero, Messi and Rooney.
 
bridgeno1 said:
Suspect that's a few idiots trolling, as it would be ridiculous even by the standards of our needy fanbase.

Hopefully most fans realise it was a friendly where only 6 of our likely starting XI for our first PL match at Old Toilet started the game and the Spurs goal would have been disallowed by VAR in the Premier League. I remember Man City being dogshit in pre-season and then winning the Treble at the end of the season.

I will say that in all our games so far we've looked like the Arsenal of last season (tippy tappy sideways passing) albeit Zubimendi looks class and our best player has been 15 year old Max Dowman who (and I say this with a completely straight face) is already a more effective player than Saka with better dribbling ability and a better shot. I think we'll play him this season and he's not 16 until December.
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Based on what?

It's impossible to tell that without them playing consistently at the highest level for several years like Saka has.
 
Manc in London said:
Not to the extent of this kid, in my opinion. To be fair to Foden, he came through as a midfielder. Probably easier to stand out as a forward or winger as it is easier to show up in those positions plus we held Foden back a bit.
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Yeah so on that point I think anyone minutes Dowman gets this season will be on the wing. His true position is as an AM but as a 15 year old he won't yet have the physicality to play in midfield.

That being said he gave Joelinton a torrid time last week.

 
bridgeno1 said:
Yeah so on that point I think anyone minutes Dowman gets this season will be on the wing. His true position is as an AM but as a 15 year old he won't yet have the physicality to play in midfield.

That being said he gave Joelinton a torrid time last week.

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It is preseason. This time of year is littered from club to club with 'the next big thing'. The only reason these young players get a chance in friendlies is to try and convince them their future lies at the club. They are sort of free to leave at any point. He is not even a professional footballer yet.
Keep young players out of the spotlight and let them mature without the added pressure of social media.

What happens if a 15 year old becomes a key part of a premier league winning team but before he is old enough to sign a professional contract gets a career ending injury?
He's hopefully got a long career in front of him. Hope Arsenal resist the temptation to throw him in this season.
I feel the same about Rio Ngumoha too. Very exciting prospect and a little bit older than Dowman but still maturing.
 
rowarta said:
Arse getting spanked 1-3 Villarreal
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Finished 3-2. We looked very vulnerable on the break - all 3 of their goals came that way, Myles Lewis-Skelly at fault for all 3. Gyokeres did ok when he was on. Once again the 15 year old Max Dowman was the best player on the pitch when he came on. Wasn't a full strength side at any time but still had 7/8 probable starters so not exactly a Carabao Cup line-up either. Villarreal were good value for the win. I know it's only pre-season but defend like that at Anfield and we will get shredded.
 
bridgeno1 said:
Finished 3-2. We looked very vulnerable on the break - all 3 of their goals came that way, Myles Lewis-Skelly at fault for all 3. Gyokeres did ok when he was on. Once again the 15 year old Max Dowman was the best player on the pitch when he came on. Wasn't a full strength side at any time but still had 7/8 probable starters so not exactly a Carabao Cup line-up either. Villarreal were good value for the win. I know it's only pre-season but defend like that at Anfield and we will get shredded.
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Watched 10 mins of it you up against a park bus and we all know these games count for naff all when that first game of the season starts
 
bridgeno1 said:
Finished 3-2. We looked very vulnerable on the break - all 3 of their goals came that way, Myles Lewis-Skelly at fault for all 3. Gyokeres did ok when he was on. Once again the 15 year old Max Dowman was the best player on the pitch when he came on. Wasn't a full strength side at any time but still had 7/8 probable starters so not exactly a Carabao Cup line-up either. Villarreal were good value for the win. I know it's only pre-season but defend like that at Anfield and we will get shredded.
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yep high line got punished from what I saw.
 
bridgeno1 said:
Finished 3-2. We looked very vulnerable on the break - all 3 of their goals came that way, Myles Lewis-Skelly at fault for all 3. Gyokeres did ok when he was on. Once again the 15 year old Max Dowman was the best player on the pitch when he came on. Wasn't a full strength side at any time but still had 7/8 probable starters so not exactly a Carabao Cup line-up either. Villarreal were good value for the win. I know it's only pre-season but defend like that at Anfield and we will get shredded.
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I would worry about defending like that at the swamp before anything else.
Defend like that at klanfield. LOL
 
bridgeno1 said:
Finished 3-2. We looked very vulnerable on the break - all 3 of their goals came that way, Myles Lewis-Skelly at fault for all 3. Gyokeres did ok when he was on. Once again the 15 year old Max Dowman was the best player on the pitch when he came on. Wasn't a full strength side at any time but still had 7/8 probable starters so not exactly a Carabao Cup line-up either. Villarreal were good value for the win. I know it's only pre-season but defend like that at Anfield and we will get shredded.
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Incredible he's so good at 15. Real conundrum on how to handle him. Clearly good enough to be in your squad but should he be at 15? Kick him back to the youth and let him finish school should be the plan but he looks a real talent.

Also, it is pre season so take that in to account
 
waspish said:
Watched 10 mins of it you up against a park bus and we all know these games count for naff all when that first game of the season starts
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Yeah but it's hilarious watching our needy fanbase have a massive meltdown about it! 'Gyokeres is crap, sell Saka, Rice is done!'. Much of our supporter base is so mentally unstable.
 
super_city_si said:
Incredible he's so good at 15. Real conundrum on how to handle him. Clearly good enough to be in your squad but should he be at 15? Kick him back to the youth and let him finish school should be the plan but he looks a real talent.

Also, it is pre season so take that in to account
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Yeah I ignore the pre season results, more keen to see the players get minutes into the legs. Re Dowman I do agree he should be left to become an adult- maybe play him in the Carabao games and give him the odd 10 mins or so in PL games if we are a couple of goals up.
 
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