Mikel Arteta hailed Max Dowman's "special" performance after the 15-year-old prodigy became Arsenal's youngest-ever starter in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Brighton in the League Cup fourth round. Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka scored in the second half at the Emirates Stadium as Premier League leaders Arsenal earned a quarter-final at home to Crystal Palace. But it was Dowman, still two months shy of his 16th birthday, who stole the show with a dazzling display that climaxed when he was given a standing ovation after coming off in the second half.&nbsp;Gunners boss Arteta was delighted with Dowman's composed performance, which belied his tender years, even if his shy response to being picked was more in keeping with someone still of school age.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-crash-out-of-league-cup-after-shocking-loss-to-crystal-palace-1761795497901">Liverpool crash out of League Cup after shocking loss to Crystal Palace</a>&nbsp;"A tiny smile, that's what you get with him," said Arteta when asked how Dowman reacted when he told him he was starting. "For him everything is natural, for him everything is OK. It's the way he plays and that's the secret, that he doesn't make a big fuss of it.&nbsp;"He just does what he does best, which is to play football. To play football with a lot of courage and determination and today again, he has shown some incredible skill, some capacity to run past players at that level in the Premier League at 15. It's definitely something special."&nbsp;The highly-rated teenager previously came off the bench in the league against Leeds and Liverpool and the last round of the League Cup at Port Vale.&nbsp;Having got a taste of starting, Arteta expects Dowman to be pushing for more regular action.&nbsp;"For sure, if you ask him. That's what we have to manage and not only that, there's a lot of things that are new in his life," he said. "We have to make sure that he takes the right steps and he needs be able to cope with it, too, because it's happening very, very fast and we all need to be aware of that.&nbsp;"Let's encourage him to keep going that way, but let's protect him as well."&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Dowman, the highly-rated teenager previously came off the bench in the league against Leeds and Liverpool and the last round of the League Cup at Port Vale.

Mikel Arteta hailed Max Dowman's "special" performance after the 15-year-old prodigy became Arsenal's youngest-ever starter in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Brighton in the League Cup fourth round. Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka scored in the second half at the Emirates Stadium as Premier League leaders Arsenal earned a quarter-final at home to Crystal Palace. But it was Dowman, still two months shy of his 16th birthday, who stole the show with a dazzling display that climaxed when he was given a standing ovation after coming off in the second half. Gunners boss Arteta was delighted with Dowman's composed performance, which belied his tender years, even if his shy response to being picked was more in keeping with someone still of school age. Also read | Liverpool crash out of League Cup after shocking loss to Crystal Palace "A tiny smile, that's what you get with him," said Arteta when asked how Dowman reacted when he told him he was starting. "For him everything is natural, for him everything is OK. It's the way he plays and that's the secret, that he doesn't make a big fuss of it. "He just does what he does best, which is to play football. To play football with a lot of courage and determination and today again, he has shown some incredible skill, some capacity to run past players at that level in the Premier League at 15. It's definitely something special." The highly-rated teenager previously came off the bench in the league against Leeds and Liverpool and the last round of the League Cup at Port Vale. Having got a taste of starting, Arteta expects Dowman to be pushing for more regular action. "For sure, if you ask him. That's what we have to manage and not only that, there's a lot of things that are new in his life," he said. "We have to make sure that he takes the right steps and he needs be able to cope with it, too, because it's happening very, very fast and we all need to be aware of that. "Let's encourage him to keep going that way, but let's protect him as well." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Dowman, the highly-rated teenager previously came off the bench in the league against Leeds and Liverpool and the last round of the League Cup at Port Vale.

Arteta hails rookie record-breaker Dowman in Arsenal’s League Cup win over Brighton

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on superstar Bukyao Saka as the Gunners enter a crucial last couple of months of the season. Arsenal, fighting on two fronts in the Champions League and the Premier League are in search of their first silverware since 2020 when they lifted the FA Cup. Saka, who is an important player of the team, has been described by his manager as “decisive” and ready to fly with North London club set to face Brighton followed by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

<h2>Arteta lavishes praise on Saka</h2>

"I'm super positive. I think he's going to fly and be so decisive."

"I think because he's so strong, how much he wants it when you talk to him and how excited he is about what is coming," Arteta said.

Asked on whether Saka will play in Saturday’s match at Amex Stadium, Arteta was optimistic and hinted that the English international could play a part. The 22-year-old English player was not part of his side’s 2-0 win over Luton Town and was nursing a hamstring injury.

"He wants to be there and he's getting better and better. It's normal, you have little niggles, you have kicks. He's gone through a lot of that in the last two or three years and look at the way he's performing," said&nbsp;Arteta.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2024-hopefully-hell-move-up-shane-watson-backs-ms-dhoni-to-bat-higher-for-csk-after-cameo-vs-dc-708001">IPL 2024: 'Hopefully he'll move up' - Shane Watson backs MS Dhoni to bat higher for CSK after cameo vs DC</a>

<h2>Arsenal’s hunt for glory</h2>

The Gunner currently sit second in the Premier League standings as the season enters the final phase. With eight matches to go in the Premier League season, Arsenal have&nbsp;68 points from 30 matches and are two points behind leaders Liverpool who are on 70 points.&nbsp;Manchester City sit third with 67 points from 30 matches.

On the European picture, the Gunners will face former Tottenham man Harry Kane and his Bayern Munich side next week. The Champions League quarterfinal will be Arsenal’s first in 14 years and will be an interesting contest considering they have a torrid record against them recently. Arsenal have lost their last three Champions League meetings with Bayern with the same score of 5-1.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on superstar Bukyao Saka as the Gunners enter a crucial last couple of months of the season. Arsenal, fighting on two fronts in the Champions League and the Premier League are in search of their first silverware since 2020 when they lifted the FA Cup.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on superstar Bukyao Saka as the Gunners enter a crucial last couple of months of the season. Arsenal, fighting on two fronts in the Champions League and the Premier League are in search of their first silverware since 2020 when they lifted the FA Cup. Saka, who is an important player of the team, has been described by his manager as “decisive” and ready to fly with North London club set to face Brighton followed by Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Arteta lavishes praise on Saka "I'm super positive. I think he's going to fly and be so decisive." "I think because he's so strong, how much he wants it when you talk to him and how excited he is about what is coming," Arteta said. Asked on whether Saka will play in Saturday’s match at Amex Stadium, Arteta was optimistic and hinted that the English international could play a part. The 22-year-old English player was not part of his side’s 2-0 win over Luton Town and was nursing a hamstring injury. "He wants to be there and he's getting better and better. It's normal, you have little niggles, you have kicks. He's gone through a lot of that in the last two or three years and look at the way he's performing," said Arteta. ALSO READ | IPL 2024: 'Hopefully he'll move up' - Shane Watson backs MS Dhoni to bat higher for CSK after cameo vs DC Arsenal’s hunt for glory The Gunner currently sit second in the Premier League standings as the season enters the final phase. With eight matches to go in the Premier League season, Arsenal have 68 points from 30 matches and are two points behind leaders Liverpool who are on 70 points. Manchester City sit third with 67 points from 30 matches. On the European picture, the Gunners will face former Tottenham man Harry Kane and his Bayern Munich side next week. The Champions League quarterfinal will be Arsenal’s first in 14 years and will be an interesting contest considering they have a torrid record against them recently. Arsenal have lost their last three Champions League meetings with Bayern with the same score of 5-1.

Premier League: Mikel Arteta heaps praise on superstar Bukayo Saka, says 'he's going to...'

Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 on Sunday to dislodge Liverpool from the top of the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp's men prepared for a blockbuster clash against struggling Manchester United.

Aston Villa, fresh from potentially season-defining wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, came from behind to beat 10-man Brentford 2-1, while West Ham crushed Wolves 3-0.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, runners-up to City last season, dominated at the Emirates, wasting a succession of openings but they finally broke through in the 53rd minute.

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke jumped to head a corner away but could only flick it into the path of Gabriel Jesus, who headed the ball into an empty net.

Kai Havertz doubled the lead for the Gunners in the closing minutes, slotting past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after being found by Eddie Nketiah.

Across London, Unai Emery's Villa fell behind to a Keane Lewis-Potter&nbsp;goal on the stroke of half-time at Brentford.

However, Brentford's Ben Mee was sent off in the 71st minute and six minutes later Villa were level when Alex Moreno got on the end of a Leon Bailey cross.

Ollie Watkins&nbsp;completed the turnaround against his former club when he headed in a Boubacar Kamara flick-on from a corner with five minutes to go.

Villa now have 38 points from 17 games, one behind Arsenal and one ahead of Liverpool, who kick off later in the day.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sa-vs-ind-ishan-kishan-withdraws-from-test-squad-due-to-personal-reasons-ks-bharat-roped-in-as-replacement-670562">SA vs IND: Ishan Kishan withdraws from Test squad due to personal reasons; KS Bharat roped in as replacement</a>

<h2>Paqueta shines</h2>

Mohammed Kudus scored twice and Lucas Paqueta provided all three assists at the London Stadium as West Ham put last week's 5-0 drubbing by Fulham behind them.

The Ghana forward netted midway through the first period following a swift counter-attack, finishing powerfully after he was found by the impressive Paqueta.

West Ham doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute, when Paqueta and Kudus again combined to deadly effect and top-scorer Jarrod Bowen hit the post with goalkeeper Dan Bentley a bystander.

Wolves thought they had pulled a goal back just before the hour mark but Pablo Sarabia's tap-in was ruled out for a marginal offside.

West Ham put the result beyond doubt when Bowen finished unerringly after receiving the ball from Paqueta.

On Saturday, Manchester City let slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace, before jetting off to Saudi Arabia to play in the Club World Cup.

It means Liverpool can go six points clear of the defending champions if they beat struggling United at Anfield in the late afternoon kick-off.

Erik ten Hag's men who last season suffered a 7-0 drubbing at Anfield, have lost 12 of their 24 games in all competitions this season.

With the exception of last season's 2-1 win at Old Trafford, United's recent record against Liverpool is dire -- they have lost four of the past five meetings, conceding 21 goals in the process.

United captain Bruno Fernandes is suspended while out-of-form Marcus Rashford was once again left on the bench.

Saturday's Premier League action was overshadowed by a shocking incident at Bournemouth, where Luton captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest, forcing the game to be abandoned.

Luton confirmed Lockyer was responsive before being taken to hospital and was in a "stable" condition. In an update on Sunday the club said he was undergoing tests and scans.

Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 on Sunday to dislodge Liverpool from the top of the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp's men prepared for a blockbuster clash against struggling Manchester United.

Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 on Sunday to dislodge Liverpool from the top of the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp's men prepared for a blockbuster clash against struggling Manchester United. Aston Villa, fresh from potentially season-defining wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, came from behind to beat 10-man Brentford 2-1, while West Ham crushed Wolves 3-0. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, runners-up to City last season, dominated at the Emirates, wasting a succession of openings but they finally broke through in the 53rd minute. Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke jumped to head a corner away but could only flick it into the path of Gabriel Jesus, who headed the ball into an empty net. Kai Havertz doubled the lead for the Gunners in the closing minutes, slotting past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after being found by Eddie Nketiah. Across London, Unai Emery's Villa fell behind to a Keane Lewis-Potter goal on the stroke of half-time at Brentford. However, Brentford's Ben Mee was sent off in the 71st minute and six minutes later Villa were level when Alex Moreno got on the end of a Leon Bailey cross. Ollie Watkins completed the turnaround against his former club when he headed in a Boubacar Kamara flick-on from a corner with five minutes to go. Villa now have 38 points from 17 games, one behind Arsenal and one ahead of Liverpool, who kick off later in the day. ALSO READ | SA vs IND: Ishan Kishan withdraws from Test squad due to personal reasons; KS Bharat roped in as replacement Paqueta shines Mohammed Kudus scored twice and Lucas Paqueta provided all three assists at the London Stadium as West Ham put last week's 5-0 drubbing by Fulham behind them. The Ghana forward netted midway through the first period following a swift counter-attack, finishing powerfully after he was found by the impressive Paqueta. West Ham doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute, when Paqueta and Kudus again combined to deadly effect and top-scorer Jarrod Bowen hit the post with goalkeeper Dan Bentley a bystander. Wolves thought they had pulled a goal back just before the hour mark but Pablo Sarabia's tap-in was ruled out for a marginal offside. West Ham put the result beyond doubt when Bowen finished unerringly after receiving the ball from Paqueta. On Saturday, Manchester City let slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace, before jetting off to Saudi Arabia to play in the Club World Cup. It means Liverpool can go six points clear of the defending champions if they beat struggling United at Anfield in the late afternoon kick-off. Erik ten Hag's men who last season suffered a 7-0 drubbing at Anfield, have lost 12 of their 24 games in all competitions this season. With the exception of last season's 2-1 win at Old Trafford, United's recent record against Liverpool is dire -- they have lost four of the past five meetings, conceding 21 goals in the process. United captain Bruno Fernandes is suspended while out-of-form Marcus Rashford was once again left on the bench. Saturday's Premier League action was overshadowed by a shocking incident at Bournemouth, where Luton captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest, forcing the game to be abandoned. Luton confirmed Lockyer was responsive before being taken to hospital and was in a "stable" condition. In an update on Sunday the club said he was undergoing tests and scans.

Premier League: Arsenal hit Brighton 2-0 to take top spot; West Ham, Aston Villa register vital wins