“That would be my only worry” - Micah Richards highlights why Max Dowman could struggle to develop properly at Arsenal

Micah Richards has voiced concerns about the development of Arsenal youngster Max Dowman, suggesting that the teenager may struggle to develop properly at the club.

Dowman has been the talk of the town after being named in Arsenal’s starting XI for their Carabao Cup Fourth Round clash against Brighton & Hove Albion. In the process, he became the Gunners’ youngest ever starter at 15 years and 302 days.

During the 71 minutes he spent on the pitch, Dowman impressed as he completed more successful dribbles and won more fouls and duels than any other player on the pitch. While the hope is that his debut start will be an appearance of things to come at the north London club, former Manchester City defender Richards is worried about the youngster’s future.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards suggested that Dowman could face challenges breaking into Arsenal’s first team, noting that his primary position overlaps with that of Bukayo Saka, who has become one of the most indispensable players in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

“He plays in a position that Saka plays. Well, I’ve seen him play in other positions – he can play number 10 and he can play on the other side and all that sort of stuff. But the manager, the way he is, I would say, is on the side of being a little bit more defensive than Saka and then allowing the players to come on. But he’s not going to play ahead of Saka, and to keep developing, he needs to play. That would be my only worry,” Richards said.

“If you’re that good, he will find a way to play him” – Gary Lineker disagrees with Micah Richards on Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman

Former England international Gary Lineker disagreed with Micah Richards’ comments that Max Dowman won’t get playing time at Arsenal because of Bukayo Saka’s presence. Lineker stated that regardless of how Saka seems to have cemented his place in the team, Arteta will definitely find a way to play Dowman if he is that good.

Lineker remarked:

“It’s going to be really interesting following his career and how Arteta does deal with him. It’s like anything; if you’re that good, he will find a way to play him. There’s no question about that.”

Dowman made his debut for the Gunners in their Premier League match against Leeds in August to become the second youngest player in the English top flight, behind teammate Ethan Nwaneri. He took to the field the following weekend against Liverpool at Anfield, becoming the youngest player to make multiple Premier League appearances in the competition’s history.