Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has named his replacement for the injured Bukayo Saka ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League quarter-final. Mikel Arteta’s team face Sporting away from home in the first leg later tonight (Tuesday), and it has been confirmed that Saka and Jurrien Timber will miss the clash.
Arsenal are in desperate need of a result after having lost back-to-back games in the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup quarter-final. The losses have raised question marks against the Gunners’ mentality.
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Ahead of what promises to be an interesting fixture in Lisbon, Smith has weighed in on who should replace Saka in the starting line-up against Sporting. Talking about the prospect of Max Dowman being handed a starting role, Smith opined that the 16-year-old would not be unfazed.
Smith touched upon how Dowman will get a huge boost in confidence after his goal against Everton and admitted he wouldn’t be surprised to see the teenager in the starting XI against Sporting.
Smith said on Sky Sports News (h/t The Metro)
“If you put him in, you’re not telling him to get you out of it (the slump). But I don’t think he would have any fears about it because there’s nothing that seems to faze the lad.
“What a moment that was against Everton. I don’t think he needed a boost in confidence but his belief would have maybe doubled after that.
“Look, Bukayo Saka isn’t going to be fit so perhaps that position on the right-hand side is up for grabs and Dowman is well in the frame.
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he did make the starting XI.”
Notably, Arsenal have never beaten a Portuguese side away from home in knockout clash in Europe. It remains to be seen whether they can overcome that trouble tonight.
Max Dowman thriving at Arsenal after headline act against Everton
Arsenal talent Max Dowman enjoyed an incredible outing against Everton last month. With the game locked at 0-0, Dowman came off the bench to provide the cross that eventually led to Viktor Gyokeres grabbing the equaliser in the 89th minute.
The 16-year-old then became the youngest ever goalscorer in Premier League history as he sealed the win with a goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
If not for Dowman’s exciting cameo off the bench, Arsenal would have surely dropped points in that game. Considering how their form has dipped in recent weeks, a draw in that game would have made the title race even more tighter.
Arsenal will be hoping Dowman can step up whenever required as they aim to win a first Premier League title in over two decades, while also competing for a first-ever Champions League trophy.
Edited by Nived Zenith
