I find myself being torn when discussing Max Dowman. There is the welfare aspect of talking about a player who is only 15 years old and understanding how much development is yet to go in this young man’s life,

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal’s 15-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman will be given a brief break after an electrifying run of pre-season performances, which have raised expectations of a potential first-team debut this season.

It may ultimately boil down to the question of whether, mentally and physically, Dowman is ready. The Arsenal players who shared a pitch with him in Wednesday night's defeat to Villarreal certainly made their feelings known.