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Arsenal’s Max Dowman Has To Be Treated The Same – Opinion
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- Arsenal’s Max Dowman Has To Be Treated The Same – Opinion
Arsenal's Max Dowman Has To Be Treated The Same – Opinion
It might not feel like it to him as he serves a three-match suspension, but this week will be a crucial part of Max Dowman's development.
The reason it's so special for a 16-year-old to be playing for the English champions is that it takes a mentality beyond that age.
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Opponents are going to target someone's lack of experience, both physically and verbally, while there are going to be moments where you need the maturity to accept you're not always going to have a great game.
With Saka injured, Tuesday was an opportunity for the teenager to prove he should be starting in the Premiership. Let's be honest, you don't have to do a lot in the final third to prove you have more end product than Madueke.
Instead, the youngster was provoked into a red card by what he felt was an overly aggressive tackle.
It reminded me of David Beckham and Wayne Rooney's sendings-off in World Cups, when some might argue the player punished wasn't the original aggressor.
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Yet don't give an official a chance to make a decision.
The ball was out of play and a player made a movement with his leg towards another player, so he can't claim he was going after the ball. After that, there is always a chance of a booking.
The Same Standards Must Apply
The referee's job is to follow the laws of the sport, no matter how young or old those on the pitch are. They can't discriminate against age. They have to take that context out of their decision-making.
Mikel Arteta didn't factor in age when, aware that cameras would have been watching, the Spaniard had a word with the Gunner as he walked to the dressing room.
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As a former player himself, our manager will be aware that this experience is part of the education process.
Youth might determine how your coaching staff follow up in the next few days in training, but I think our boss was correct not to patronise his midfielder by treating him any differently from his peers.
You were part of an eleven who were warned pre-match about provocation, so therefore cannot be immune to criticism based on your DOB.
If you're judged old enough to be in the first-team squad, then those are the levels you will be held to.
Not yet being an adult can't be an excuse in an industry worth millions. This isn't a charity.
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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A Crucial Lesson in Dowman's Development
This is where having the correct support network around him will be crucial.
A career is not always going to be rainbows and unicorns. Mistakes happen, and you can't always be told how special you are.
As much as his family have to ensure he's not getting carried away when running the length of the pitch against Everton, he can't be too low when something goes wrong.
It helps that he works for a former captain at the Emirates. While the 44-year-old's focus would have been on the Carabao Cup exit, part of his role is protecting the future of the club.
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Dowman is obviously part of that process.
It might be tough love, but he and his senior players will look after Max .
We might look back on this week as a key period in the development of a special talent.
Dan Smith
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