Max Dowman, Marli Salmon and the Arsenal wonderkids trying to wow Mikel Arteta on Asia tour

The 2024/25 campaign proved to be a breakout year for Arsenal duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. The academy graduates both took their chance in Mikel Arteta's team when it was presented to them and never once looked back.

Lewis-Skelly's form resulted in his first call-up to the England squad, duly marking his senior debut for Thomas Tuchel's team with a goal in a 2-0 win over Albania. The 18-year-old has made the left-back position in the Arsenal team his own and he could be on course for another huge year at the Emirates Stadium.

Nwaneri, on the other hand, finished the season with nine goals to his name from 37 appearances in all competitions. He also played his part in England Under-21s triumphing at the recent UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia.

As is always the case in pre-season, a number of youngsters could be handed opportunities to make their case for the new campaign. The Gunners have included eight academy stars as part of their 30-man squad for their pre-season tour of Asia, with Max Dowman the starlet who all eyes are on right now.

Here we take a look at the Arsenal youngsters who have a major chance to wow Arteta in Singapore and Hong Kong:

Tommy Setford

Tommy Setford is one of four goalkeepers on Arsenal's tour but it's not clear yet whether he will get a chance between the sticks or not. As only one position is up for grabs, Arteta may not do a lot of rotating beyond David Raya and new goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Arriving from Ajax 12 months ago, the 19-year-old did make his senior debut for the Gunners last October in a 3-0 victory over Preston North End in the Carabao Cup.

Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko

Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko completes the list of goalkeepers heading out to Asia for the club's tour. The Basildon-born shot-stopper was named in the Arsenal matchday squad for their 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers last September.

Josh Nichols

Josh Nichols actually featured in the victory against Bolton after playing 90 minutes at right-back. The 18-year-old was named in Arsenal's Premier League squad for games against Leicester City, Liverpool and West Ham in the first half of last term but he remained an unused substitute on all three occasions.

Capable of playing in either full-back role, there could be a chance he plays in Asia if Arteta is to rotate his team in games.

Marli Salmon

Dowman is not the only 15-year-old in the Arsenal tour squad as Marli Salmon is also the same age. The centre-back, who was with the Arsenal squad in La Manga, Spain, for their pre-tour camp, is highly regarded at the club and he has been rewarded after a strong campaign for the Under-18s and in the FA Youth Cup.

Louie Copley

Midfielder Louie Copley is also with the Arsenal squad in Asia days on from signing his first professional contract with the club. Copley was a regular for the Under-18s last season, captaining them on a handful of occasions, before going on to move up to the Under-21s towards the end of the campaign as he made three appearances in Premier League 2.

Max Dowman

Arsenal have a star on their hands in Dowman. The 15-year-old is seen as one of the brightest young talents in England and he has been training with Arteta's first-team due to the incredible levels he is producing.

The attacking midfielder enjoyed a standout 2024/25 campaign as he scored 19 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions. Fifteen of those goals came for the Under-18s, including a run of three goals against Leicester City, two against Norwich City and then four in a 4-0 home win over Reading as he captained the team.

Making things look so easy when he is in possession, Dowman's trickery and ability to glide with the ball makes him a very tricky customer for his opponents.

Ismeal Kabia

Ismeal Kabia was another youngster to make his Arsenal debut in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton. He appeared in the matchday squad a further 13 times last term, including in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, but Arteta elected against bringing him on.

The Dutch-born right-winger contributed with two goals and six assists in his match time last season.

Andre Harriman-Annous

Andre Harriman-Annous certainly gives Arsenal options as he can play in a range of attacking positions, including on either wing, as a No.10 and also up front. It was a good year for the player in front of goal as he scored 15 times in 35 appearances, with eight of those coming in 12 Under-18 Premier League outings.

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