Mikel Arteta has played down the idea that Arsenal risk losing Max Dowman to Real Madrid or another rival while negotiations continue over the teenager’s status. Dowman, 15, is not yet eligible to sign a senior contract but is in discussions with the club about his scholar status and a first professional contract that can be pre-signed when he turns 16.

Arteta pointed to the player’s affinity with the club and the family’s attitude as reasons for optimism. “I don’t think about [losing Dowman] because everything that I hear from the player and the family has been very positive,” he told reporters. “[Staying long-term] is we all want and I think what he wants as well. After that it is more for [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club.

“But the feeling that I have is that genuinely he loves it here. He is a huge Arsenal supporter and his family are really happy with the way things are developing around him as well. Hopefully for many years he will be with us.”

Dowman made his first-team debut in August, becoming the club’s second youngest ever player behind Ethan Nwaneri. Arteta has previously shown a willingness to hand very young players senior minutes, having introduced Nwaneri to the first team in 2022. Age alone has not been a barrier: “If we looked at his passport every day we would never play him, simple as that,” Arteta said. “So it is finding a balance, an understanding, especially the load, the things that are changing in his life, and making sure he can cope with that. So far, he has done that.”

This season Dowman has made three first-team appearances, totaling 54 minutes, and further chances could arise as Arsenal manage absences in attack. Arteta conceded the squad is stretched ahead of the Carabao Cup tie with Brighton & Hove Albion. “In the front line, that is where we have more difficulties,” he said. “Gabby Jesus out, Kai [Havertz] out, [Gabriel] Martinelli and [Noni] Madueke out. We have to be more careful as we don’t have many options. ]”

Pep Guardiola offered a restrained update on Erling Haaland after the striker appeared to be in clear discomfort following a collision with the woodwork at Villa Park. Haaland remained on the ground in visible pain but was able to finish the match and did not require a substitution.

On the injury scare Guardiola said, “Hopefully he is fine.” The manager’s short response left the club with a small window to manage the forward’s recovery before a lighter fixture list.

Man City’s next match is against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Guardiola should not need Haaland to make an appearance against the Championship side, giving the No. 9 additional time to recover. Haaland already has 24 goals to his name for both club and country this season, and the expectation is to have him fit for the visit of second-place Bournemouth to the Etihad on Sunday, Nov. 2.

The defeat at Aston Villa ended a nine-game unbeaten run for the 10-time English champions and left City in fifth place, six points behind league-leaders Arsenal. Guardiola addressed the title race directly, saying: “We try to close [the gap],” Guardiola said. “Arsenal have been solid for many years. The concern is how we improve better to be close.

“From my experience, it is so long. There are many teams there—Bournemouth are doing really well—and we try to do our game. Our job is not to watch the title. If [Arsenal] win all their games and win the Premier League, congratulate them. But I feel that the team is alive, it’s good,” Guardiola finished.

With fixtures against Bournemouth and Liverpool coming in the next two weeks, Guardiola will be focused on restoring form and moving into the November international window with his squad in better shape.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed striker Liam Delap is back in training and could return to competitive action before the end of the month. Maresca made clear that Saturday’s visit from Sunderland remains too soon, but he suggested Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers could be a sensible target.

“Liam took part in the session yesterday with the team for the first time, so he’s not going to be available for tomorrow’s game, but probably for the next match,” Maresca explained. “He can be available.”

Delap’s imminent comeback would arrive at an important moment. Chelsea have struggled in front of goal in his absence, and João Pedro, another summer signing, has been required to tweak his role to help cover for the Englishman. That adjustment has coincided with a drop in his output.

Pedro should be well rested for Saturday after being forced to sit out the 5–1 win over Ajax through suspension. Chelsea had no trouble finding the net against the Dutch visitors, and one of the game’s standout moments came when captain Enzo Fernández passed to Estêvão so the young Brazilian could take the penalty his quick feet had won. Estêvão converted from 12 yards.

“It’s very, very good,” Maresca reflected. “I told the players after the game that for sure we were very happy about the winning, about the three points against Ajax.

“But the main thing about that game was Enzo, when he gave the ball to Estêvão we got to show how is the team in this moment, how they are all together in terms of togetherness, in terms of effort and this is what we need if we want to try to do something important.”

With Delap training again, Maresca has options to restore a striker who could relieve pressure on attacking teammates and provide fresh competition as Chelsea look to maintain momentum in cup and league fixtures.