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. ]”

Bukayo Saka has underlined his belief that Arsenal’s strengthened squad gives the club a genuine chance of ending a long title drought. Arsenal sit top of the Premier League after winning seven of their opening nine games, six points ahead of Manchester City and seven clear of Liverpool in seventh. The club’s summer transfer window brought Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze and Martín Zubimendi among others, adding depth to a young squad and addressing a need Mikel Arteta has long spoken about for quality reinforcements.

Saka, speaking to Sky Sports News, did not make a flat-out declaration but said his confidence is high. “I feel like, when you’re an Arsenal player, there’s just always constant talk about where you’re finishing and how you’re performing,” he said. “Sometimes I feel like it’s even over-analysed, but this year I feel we’re a very strong group and we’ve got a lot of quality.”

Injury disruption has already tested the squad. “We’ve suffered a lot of injuries already, but the players that have come in have shown that we can all keep the level at the highest, and that’s what it’s going to take for us to go all the way,” Saka said. “I think that’s where we’ve slipped off in a few seasons, but this season, we’ve got that and it’s making me really believe we can do it.

“I’ve been in the title race the last three years now and finished second in all of them. Just the understanding from that and what I’ve learnt is that now it’s not so important. It’s in April, that’s when you need to be there and that’s where you need to try and be top.

“Now it’s about standing around it, building your momentum and then going on a run of performances.”

Saka himself missed six games across all competitions with a hamstring problem, but the arrival of Noni Madueke from Chelsea helped cover that absence. The recruitment of Gyökeres has also helped compensate for the lack of Kai Havertz. “I think as a team last season we didn’t play with a striker like him, we played with Kai [Havertz], who’s a different player to him,” Saka mused about Gyökeres. “So, it’s about us trying to adapt to his game a bit and try and help him to create a few more chances but at the same time, I feel like he’s getting more and more settled each game and he’s playing well and the goals will come. I’m not worried. I don’t think anyone in the club is worried. He’s a top player.”

Vinícius Júnior’s visible reaction to his substitution became one of the biggest talking points after Real Madrid’s 2–1 victory in El Clásico. “I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I leave, I’m leaving,” he was caught saying as he stormed off the Santiago Bernabéu turf, walking straight past Alonso and down the tunnel. He would re-emerge in time for the post-match chaos.

Tension between player and coach dates back to the summer, and the latest episode underlines that relations are strained. Vinícius is 25 and his contract with Madrid expires in 2027. The club has hesitated to offer the mammoth extension he believes he has earned. If no solution is found in the coming months, a move away from Madrid next year must be treated as a real possibility.

Arsenal
The early indications suggest that Arsenal will end their six-year wait for silverware this season, with the Gunners leading the way in the Premier League after three successive second-place finishes. They have built a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, with set-piece proficiency and a stubborn defense. Few areas look weak, but the left-hand side is widely viewed as the most upgradeable position. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have been serviceable this season. Arsenal have been linked with Rodrygo and Rafael Leão in recent windows and could consider a major move for Vinícius in 2026, but his transfer fee and wages would be prohibitive. Likelihood rating: 2/10

Paris Saint-Germain
Viní Jr’s reported £350,000 ($464,810) a week salary would not deter PSG, nor would Madrid’s supposed asking price of £220 million ($292 million). The relationship between the two hierarchies was strained by the Kylian Mbappé saga, which concluded in 2024 when the Frenchman joined Madrid on a not-so-free transfer. Nasser Al-Khelaifi has urged Los Blancos to rejoin the football “family” amid Super League discussions, but selling a galáctico to a Champions League rival appears unlikely. PSG also have Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, Ousmané Dembélé and Bradley Barcola. Likelihood rating: 3/10

Manchester City
There have been tenuous rumours of a Man City approach, and City could monitor the situation. City have abundant resources and Pep Guardiola has called the Brazilian an “incredible” footballer, noting the Ballon d’Or outcome in 2024 when Rodri prevailed. Profit and Sustainability Rules and existing financial scrutiny make any pursuit complicated. Los Blancos can still demand a fortune while Vinícius enters the final year of his deal next summer. Likelihood rating: 4/10