Dowman shines against Mansfield to keep Arsenal challenging on all fronts
Arsenal battled past Mansfield Town 2-1 on Saturday, progressing to the quarter finals of the FA Cup as they continue to fight on all four fronts.
Given the League One opposition, Mikel Arteta used the game to give 16 year olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon experience to senior football and for some of the fringe attackers to build up some sharpness.
Yet it was the youngster Dowman who outshone the senior attackers in a more central role than we've seen him before, impressing with his slaloming dribbles and physicality against the League One side.
The Gunners have a special talent on their hands, starring each time he gets minutes in the first team despite his age. The challenge is bringing him through and giving him minutes despite the great players Arsenal have on the wing and in midfield ahead of him.
Southampton away in the next round could be another opportunity for Dowman to play, and while he may not be trusted in the league and in Europe, these chances to keep gaining experience in the cups will be vital for his development.
Noni Madueke was another who had a good game, scoring the opener and looking dangerous on the wing throughout. Although his final ball remains inconsistent, Madueke is an excellent option for Arteta in these games and off the bench.
The same can't be said for some of Arsenal's other attackers on the day who failed to impose themselves against lower league opposition.
For the run in, it's all about players catching form at the right time and chipping in with important goal contributions.
The cup is the perfect time to stake a claim for more minutes in the league and help the team get over the line, but we still need to see more from the attacking unit as a whole.
It's another big week for Arsenal on multiple fronts with the Champions League knockout round starting up against Bayern Leverkusen, sandwiching a home game against Everton in the Premier League.
Challenging on all four fronts in March is an impressive feat for Arteta's Arsenal, now it's time to bring some trophies home.
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