Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made two notable omissions from his matchday squad for the Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Saturday, with both absences linked to a private fixture.
Friendly Focus for Returning Stars
Gabriel Jesus and teenage midfielder Max Dowman were both left out of the squad entirely as the Gunners drew 1-1 at Villa Park. Instead of travelling with the team, the pair featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United, which was staged at St. George's Park.
The decision was a calculated one, particularly for striker Jesus. The 28-year-old Brazilian is carefully working his way back to full match sharpness after a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in the FA Cup third round against Manchester United at the start of the year.
Before that setback, Jesus had been in impressive form, netting three times in his previous four Premier League appearances. His return to first-team training in recent weeks had seen him named on the bench against Chelsea and Brentford, but Arteta opted to grant him crucial minutes in a controlled environment against United.
Arteta's Plan for Jesus and Dowman
Speaking to reporters at the end of November, Arteta had already hinted at this strategy. Ahead of Arsenal's 3-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich, he provided a positive update on Jesus, stating his training levels were "very good."
"We're going to give him some exposure as well internally with some games, so he gets that fitness," Arteta explained. "He looks really good in training, and he's going to be a big addition to the team."
A few days later, the Spanish coach confirmed that both Jesus and young prospect Ethan Nwaneri had taken part in a behind-closed-doors match. "It did happen. Gabi participated, and Ethan as well, because he wanted some minutes," Arteta revealed. "We took the opportunity; they wanted a bit of exposure to competition, and providing that was very positive."
Dowman's Development Path
For 15-year-old Max Dowman, the friendly represented a valuable chance for senior-level experience in a less pressured setting. The midfielder has been a rare sight in the Arsenal first team this season, despite making history early in the campaign.
Dowman became the second-youngest player in both Arsenal's and the Premier League's history when he made his debut against Leeds United at just 15 years and 235 days old. After that landmark appearance, a proud Arteta told the BBC it was a "beautiful day" and praised the academy.
"The maturity and confidence and the joy he provides to the rest of the team is magnificent," Arteta said, while also emphasising the need to protect the youngster. "Let's do it naturally and organically. We have to look after him and make sure we protect him as well."
Following a brief substitute appearance in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, Dowman has not featured again in the top flight, making the behind-closed-doors friendly a key part of his continued development.
The strategic decision to prioritise match fitness in a friendly underscores Arteta's meticulous approach to player management, balancing immediate squad needs with the long-term reintegration of a key forward and the careful nurturing of a prodigious talent.
