Mikel Arteta teases brand new role for Arsenal wonderkid after experiment in training

Arsenal return to Champions League action on Tuesday aiming to make it two wins from two when Lille visit the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side opened their European campaign with an important 1-0 victory away to Napoli, with Martin Ødegaard bagging the only goal after Arsenal had controlled long periods without making their dominance count.

The Gunners followed that result with a mixed run in the Premier League, but Saturday’s 2-1 success over Leeds restored some momentum.

Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimarães found the net as the champions responded after falling behind, but Lille should provide another difficult test.

Davide Ancelotti’s men lost their Champions League opener 3-2 at home to Real Betis despite leading twice, although they did return to winning ways against Le Havre at the weekend and will arrive in north London with former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud among their options.

The Frenchman knows the Emirates well and will be eager to make an impact during his final season as a professional.

Arsenal have problems of their own after Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi were hurt during an additional session following the Leeds game.

Both players have been ruled out against Lille, while William Saliba remains unavailable with a back injury.

REUTERS/Paul Rutherford

Christos Tzolis is also sidelined by the hamstring problem he suffered while representing Greece.

Noni Madueke started on the left against Leeds and could remain there, and while Andrea Berta is reportedly eyeing up potential targets to shore up that position, Arteta has now suggested another fascinating option may eventually emerge.

Mikel Arteta teases brand-new Max Dowman role before Arsenal face Lille

Indeed, Hale End wonderkid Max Dowman could be tested on the left flank as Arsenal continue to expand the 16-year-old’s game.

Dowman is most comfortable cutting in from the right or receiving the ball in central areas.

His close control, confidence and ability to carry possession have already made him one of the most exciting academy graduates at the club.

Arteta, however, does not want the teenager’s development to become restricted to two roles.

REUTERS/Matthew Childs

The Arsenal boss believes Dowman has enough natural ability to learn a completely new position, even if a move to the left isn’t the easiest solution just yet.

The message is another clear show of faith from the manager.

Arsenal chose not to block Dowman’s route into the senior squad by adding another winger late in the summer window, and his progress is being managed with the long term firmly in mind.

Moving him to the left would create different demands, and there is no guarantee that experiment will begin against Lille.

Bukayo Saka, Madueke and Eberechi Eze give Arteta more experienced attacking choices for an important European night, yet Tzolis’ absence has created an opening.

If Arsenal take control and Arteta turns to his bench, Dowman could be offered another chance to show why his manager is already planning the next stage of his development.