Overview
- Gabriel Jesus and Max Dowman skipped the Aston Villa matchday to play a closed under-21 friendly against Manchester United at St George's Park, which Arsenal won 3-0.
- Mikel Arteta confirmed the use of internal games to rebuild Jesus’s match fitness following his January ACL surgery and recent return to full training.
- Dowman scored in the friendly and continues a prolific run at academy level, with reports noting a goal in every youth appearance this season.
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also took part as he trains with Arsenal’s youth setup to regain fitness after leaving Besiktas.
- Commentary pieces call for Dowman to get minutes in the upcoming Champions League tie with Club Brugge, though any selection remains unconfirmed.