Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has likened teenage prodigy Max Dowman to Lionel Messi following confirmation that the 16-year-old will commit his future to the north London club.
The English youngster has secured a pre-agreement with the Gunners that will convert into a full professional contract upon his 17th birthday on December 31.
When questioned about where Dowman ranks among the academy talents he has witnessed emerging through youth systems, Arteta responded: "Well, certainly one of the best.“
The comparison carries particular weight given that the Arsenal boss was on Barcelona's books during the same period as the Argentine legend.
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Dowman burst onto the scene during Arsenal's comprehensive 5-0 victory over Leeds in August, making his first-team bow at just 15 years and 234 days old.
The teenager then etched his name into club history by becoming the youngest player ever to start a match for Arsenal, delivering an impressive display in a Carabao Cup triumph against Brighton at the Emirates in October.
His remarkable rise continued the following month when he entered the fray as a substitute during Arsenal's victory away to Slavia Prague, making him the first 15-year-old ever to feature in Champions League competition.
During the current campaign, Dowman has made five first-team appearances, showcasing his potential at the highest level.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has likened teenage prodigy Max Dowman to Lionel Messi
|GETTY
However, the young talent has been unavailable for selection for approximately two months due to an ankle problem that has halted his momentum.
Speaking on Friday, Arteta said: "What he has done with us, me personally, I haven’t seen before. Only with a guy that used to play in Barcelona - but maybe not even that.
"He has a certain charisma as well and personality. He doesn’t get overwhelmed, whether it’s by the situation or the stadium or the opposition and that’s a huge quality to have.
"The communication between us has been very, very productive over the years. It’s now down to him and us to build an amazing career."
The comparison carries particular weight given that the Arsenal boss was on Barcelona's books during the same period as the Argentine legend
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Dowman burst onto the scene during Arsenal's comprehensive 5-0 victory over Leeds in August
|GETTY
Dowman aside, Arteta will have a full squad to select from for his side’s pivotal Premier League trip to Leeds on Saturday and the Spaniard revealed he believes matchday squads need to be bolstered.
He said: "At the moment there are two or three players that I have to leave out. These are the rules of the Premier League.
"I beg them, like it is in the Champions League, (to change it), because it’s much better to manage the squad, to maintain the value of the players and to maintain the mental health of the players.
"We have a really unique job, which is the ability to transform somebody’s life, career.
Five things to know about Mikel Arteta | REUTERSArteta added: "But every week we have to tell somebody, ‘Tomorrow you don’t do your job and you’re not even allowed to travel with the team’.
"Tell me a job that you have do that? I don’t go to the kitchen and say to two of the chefs, ‘Today you don’t cook, just go home’.
"The demands on games are bigger so we need bigger squads and it doesn’t make a lot of sense to restrict that.”
Arsenal are four points clear of Manchester City and Arteta insists he can maintain his strong relationship with Pep Guardiola as the two clubs battle for the title.
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