Alan Smith has been blown away by Max Dowman’s early showings at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)Ex-Arsenal striker Alan Smith has backed Max Dowman to seize the opportunity with both hands should he be given the nod in the side’s Champions League clash with Sporting this evening. With Bukayo Saka currently unavailable through injury, Dowman and Noni Madueke appear the two obvious candidates for Arsenal when it comes to who should should start on the right flank in Lisbon. ‘But I don’t think he would have any fears about it because there’s nothing that seems to faze the lad. ‘I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he did make the starting XI.’Arteta should have no fears about starting Dowman, says Smith (Picture: Getty)According to Smith, Arsenal’s desperately disappointing performance against Southampton will only have ‘cemented’ Arteta’s views regarding his strongest starting XI. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy PolicyFor more stories like this, check our sport page.

Source: Metro April 07, 2026 13:43 UTC