Arteta praises 'exceptional' Max Dowman after record FA Cup start

Mikel Arteta said he was very proud after Arsenal navigated a tricky FA Cup fifth-round tie at Field Hill. A late substitute, Eberechi Eze, secured the win, but the headlines belonged to 16-year-old Max Dowman, who returned from an ankle injury to deliver a man-of-the-match performance.

Arteta handed starts to Dowman and fellow 16-year-old Marli Salmon, a decision that made Arsenal the first Premier League side to begin a match with two players aged 16 or under in any competition. He hailed both youngsters, saying, "Well, very proud of him, very proud as well of Marli...

And Max, I think he was exceptional." The manager singled out Dowman’s composure on a difficult surface, adding: "Quality. 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.

arsenal, mikel arteta, max dowman, marli salmon, eberechi eze, fa cup, field hill, premier league, ankle injury, man-of-the-match