Arteta confirms Arsenal youngster will join first team for pre-season – and names one of the biggest things the club must do this summer | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is hoping for another “beautiful surprise” from the Arsenal academy next season with youngster Max Dowman set to join the first team in pre-season.

Both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri have impressed after breaking into the Gunners first team this season.

And Arteta is excited about the next crop of young talent coming through – including prospect Max Dowman, 15, who is set to be involved more with the first team next season and is currently with the England under-17s for their European Championship campaign.

“I think Max probably will be in around the pre-season,” the Arsenal boss said.

“Obviously he’s got a very busy schedule in the summer as well and he’s going to need some rest.

“We’ll pick another few from the academy to be in and around the team and hopefully we’ll get a nice beautiful surprise again.”

As well as being excited about what is to come from the academy, Arteta has also made it clear he wants to work with a bigger squad next season if Arsenal are to challenge for trophies again.

“There’s a few things we have to evolve as a team to get that randomness out and to better understand our players and the demands we are putting on them,” he said when discussing his plans for improvement next season.

“And especially one, which is the size of the squad.”

Arteta’s comments come in stark contrast to those recently made by his former colleague and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who suggested he would quit if City do not reduce the size of their squad.

“Different situation because we had four and five kids on the bench,” Arteta said when asked about those comments. “I never had to leave two, three, four players out of the squad.

“I think it’s about the optimal size of the squad. Within that squad everybody has to accept a role. I mean to have 22 but with five full-backs that they all feel that they are tier one, you have a big problem.

“So it’s probably about having the optimal size with the optimal role of each member of the team. That’s the dream I think.”

The Spaniard also believes this summer will help his side – with injured players recovering and others getting a well earned rest.

“They’re going to need a rest and the international (window) is still going to have a few games to play. As you said, it’s been a big part of that. We have some big injuries as well.

“It’s (international games) part of the schedule, it’s part of their ambition and what they want to achieve. It’s a good summer because they’re going to have a good rest period as well.

“They’re going to recharge themselves and prepare really well for what is coming next season.”