The team has already departed for their pre-season campaign in Asia, with fixtures scheduled in Singapore and Hong Kong as they prepare for the 2025/26 season. ..Continue Reading
During his media briefing ahead of the tour, manager Mikel Arteta addressed multiple subjects, one of which was the legal case involving Thomas Partey.
Ahead of the Gunners facing AC Milan on Wednesday, Arteta added: “We are super excited to be here. It’s been an incredible welcome from our supporters here, they are so passionate. We are adapting as well to the context, the weather, we weren’t able to train this morning, so we have to adapt to those situations as well.”
Arsenal’s senior players, including Declan Rice and William Saliba, are set to take part in the club’s pre-season matches across Asia.
Among the traveling squad of 30 is 15-year-old Max Dowman, who may also get minutes on the pitch.
Dowman has been involved with the first team for a while and was part of their winter training camp back in January.
He’s been assigned the No.56 shirt for the tour, with Mikel Arteta praising him as an “exceptional prospect” and suggesting he could play a role in the upcoming season.
Should Dowman make appearances during the 2025/26 campaign, he may need to use a separate changing area, as FA rules advise that players under 18, legally considered minors, should not share dressing rooms with adults.
Arteta has previously encountered this regulation, expressing disbelief when Ethan Nwaneri was barred from the senior dressing room before turning 18.
Dowman, who celebrates his 16th birthday in December, will likely follow similar protocols if promoted to the first team.
Last season, he made a big impact at youth level, scoring 19 goals and providing five assists across 23 matches in all competitions.
