Chido Obi sends message to Max Dowman after new Arsenal injury update
Man United youngster Chido Obi has sent a message to Arsenal starlet Max Dowman after his return to training.
The 16-year-old has been resigned to the injury table for around two months, after suffering a significant ankle injury.
But as per new pictures shared to social media on Saturday, Dowman has returned to training and could now be involved in several upcoming Arsenal games.
The midfielder broke through for the Gunners this season, breaking records with appearances in the Premier League and the Champions League at the age of just 15.
Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth-round tie with Wigan Athletic on Sunday may come just too soon for the England youth international.
Chido Obi reacts to Max Dowman message
Both Obi and Ayden Heaven joined Man United from Arsenal in January 2025, with the hopes of bigger roles in the first team.
The former was extremely highly rated by the Gunners, having scored goals at an absurd rate at the youth level.
| Chido Obi | Arsenal U18s | Man United U18s | Man United U21s |
| Appearances | 21 | 12 | 29 |
| Goals | 32 | 14 | 10 |
| Assists | 3 | 1 | 6 |
Similar could be said of Heaven, who appeared in Mikel Arteta’s team for several pre-season friendlies.
But while the defender has made 18 first-team appearances since joining the Red Devils, including 12 this season, Obi has been relegated back to the youth team.
The Dane is just 18, and will undoubtedly have more chances in the first team in the coming years, but part of him must be wondering what a stay with Arsenal would have brought.
Arteta’s usage of Dowman has proved his massive trust in the youth, and that belief may well have extended to Obi.
Dowman posted a picture of himself in training on Saturday, challenging Gabriel Martinelli for the ball. The youngster wrote: “We back!” Obi commented on the post and wrote: “Yayy”.
What Mikel Arteta has said about Dowman
After he had impressed so much in pre-season, there was an expectation that Dowman could be handed his first-team debut this season.
Most thought that moment would come in a similar way it had for Ethan Nwaneri in the 2022-23 season, as a brief substitute.
Instead, Arteta threw Dowman straight into the action in just Arsenal’s second league game of the season against Leeds United.
Under the weight of a huge moment, the youngster thrived, winning a penalty in his 26 minutes on the pitch.
After Dowman signed a pre-agreement for his first professional contract last month, Arteta said: “What he’s done with us at the age of 15, me personally, I haven’t seen it before.
“Only with a guy that used to play in Barcelona but maybe not even that. He has a certain charisma as well and personality that he doesn’t get overwhelmed, whether it’s by the situation or the stadium or the opposition, and that’s a huge quality to have.
“Now it’s down to him and us to build an amazing career with him.”