Young Dowman Set for Minutes at Arsenal After Saka Injury

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that young talent Max Dowman will get minutes in the coming matches following Bukayo Saka's injury.

Saka was forced off with a thigh injury within the first 10 minutes of the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

No Arsenal player has registered more goal involvements than Saka this season (5, level with Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice). The England winger also ranked fourth in the squad for chances created (12).

Although reports have suggested Saka could be sidelined for up to eight weeks, Arteta said the severity of the injury has yet to become clear.

"There was quite a lot of fluid in that area, so it was difficult to fully understand the extent of the injury, but we will know more soon. We need a few more scans and specialist opinions. Naturally, when a player has to leave the pitch, is struggling to walk without pain and his movement is restricted, those are not good signs. We need to be a little patient to make a definitive assessment," Arteta said.

With Christos Tzolis also injured, Arsenal's available options on the flanks are Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Dowman.

Arsenal face a busy run of five matches before the international break begins on 9 November, starting with Everton at home. It was in this very fixture last season that Dowman found the net to become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

Speaking about the youngster, Arteta said: "It's impossible not to think back to that moment and the feelings of that day. It's a memory that will stay with us and in that stadium for a very long time. He is working very well and showing that he is a player who can influence the game every time he gets a chance, so he will definitely get minutes. It would be a great story, especially if we win the game."