The Aporia
The Aporia
Verri, M. (2026, October 12). Mikel Arteta backs Arsenal star after surprise Lionel Messi prediction. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-arteta-dowman-messi-b1300521.html
Verri, Matt. “Mikel Arteta backs Arsenal star after surprise Lionel Messi prediction.” Evening Standard, 12 Oct. 2026, https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-arteta-dowman-messi-b1300521.html.
Verri, Matt. “Mikel Arteta backs Arsenal star after surprise Lionel Messi prediction.” Evening Standard, October 12, 2026. https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-arteta-dowman-messi-b1300521.html.
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Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, has strongly endorsed 16-year-old striker James Dowman after soccer legend Lionel Messi predicted the teenager's future success. In a recent Adidas advertisement, Messi named ten young players he expects to become future stars, including Dowman. Last season was a breakthrough campaign for Dowman, who became the youngest player ever in the Champions League and the youngest scorer in Premier League history. This season, Dowman has continued his impressive performances, scoring twice in Arsenal's Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich. Arteta praised Dowman’s potential, stating, "His eyes are I think better than anybody else’s." Following Messi's endorsement, Dowman trained with Arsenal on Monday wearing the new Messi F50 ‘Futbol y Familia’ boots and is expected to be in the squad for Tuesday night's Champions League match against Lille.
