Cristhian Mosquera has been impressed with Arsenal’s academy graduates, praising Max Dowman’s talent and suggesting Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri play like they’re much older.
Arsenal summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has settled in quickly at Arsenal, perhaps aided by the fact he was far from the only one joining Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad.
The Gunners made eight summer signings in all, and this summer also saw the formal promotion of 15-year-old Max Dowman.
On Dowman, Mosquera suggests that the youngster plays in a similar way to Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, adding that he was very impressed with the teenager on the club’s pre-season tour.
“I don’t mean to compare, but his style and way of playing is like Lamine Yamal,” Mosquera said. “His movements are Lamine-esque.
“I didn’t have him on my radar and when I got to Singapore, he was already training and playing. When they told me he was 15, I couldn’t believe it. He really is an incredible player, and I think he’s going to be world-class.
“You see 17- and 18-year-olds like Myles (Lewis-Skelly) or Ethan (Nwaneri) and they play like they’re 30, like they’ve been playing football their whole lives. It’s incredible.”
Dowman was one of a select few youth players involved in first-team training on Thursday, and his involvements in the senior squad are likely to continue in Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke’s absences.
The teenager has shown he’s capable of stepping up and filling in, not just during pre-season but also in his Premier League appearance against Leeds United.
Dowman won a late penalty that day, just as he had in the pre-season friendlies. His quick feet are a nightmare for defenders, and he might have more opportunities to show it in the coming weeks.