Arsenal make it two from two in the Champions League after a 3-0 win against Lille.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Gunners, though, with the French side largely limiting them creatively. It wasn’t until Mikel Arteta turned to the substitutes bench that Arsenal started playing like one of Europe’s elite.

Bringing on Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard just as Arsenal edged themselves in front changed the game completely, with all three combining for the third goal in a display of clinical, experienced finishing quality.

However, many fans would have surely liked to see Max Dowman come on a bit earlier. The 16-year-old, who became the youngest player to ever feature in the Champions League last season, replaced Eberechi Eze after 85 minutes. He was still able to show off a couple of moments of brilliance in his short cameo.

What do you think Mikel Arteta should be doing with Max Dowman this season? Could he be a starter or should he even be loaned out? 🤔

When he's been given the chance, he has certainly impressed…

Instead, Arteta decided to bring Dowman on when the game was already won. Steven Gerrard, analysing the game on TNT Sports, loved that the Arsenal manager reshuffled his attack to fit Dowman in the position he thinks suits him best.

“I love how Mikel Arteta has put Max Dowman right into his favourite position. The experience is now more important for Dowman than keeping Saka in that position.”

Arteta shifted Saka to the left wing, keeping Odegaard in the ten and putting Dowman on the right. The perception seems to be split as to what Dowman’s best position truly is. Jack Wilshere reckons the number ten role is the teenager’s long-term home, but Gerrard is implying that Dowman is more comfortable out wide.

But right now, the most important thing for Dowman is getting on the pitch. Just being around the likes of Saka and Odegaard, combining with them and developing patterns of play on the field — in the Champions League, no less — will be so beneficial for him.