Mikel Arteta has talked up the credentials of interim sporting director Jason Ayto as Arsenal continue their search for Edu’s successor. Ayto had been Edu’s assistant for 18 months before the Brazilian opted to resign earlier this month.

Mikel Arteta has again invited Arsenal’s teenage sensation Max Dowman to train with the first team before Saturday’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest. The 14-year-old has already carved out a reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in English football and his progress at youth level has seen him rewarded with the opportunity to learn first hand from the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.