Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he plans to integrate Max Dowman into the Arsenal squad next season. The 15-year-old playmaker has been regularly involved in first-team training at the Sobha Realty Centre for a while now as .

Earlier this year, Dowman joined Arsenal for a warm-weather training camp at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai. Speaking to reporters ahead of the north Londoners' clash against Bournemouth this weekend, .

"," said the Spaniard. "Mikel [Merino] can play there. Ethan Nwaneri, it's his main position. We have Max [Dowman] as well coming through."

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Then, , Arteta replied: "For the near future, yeah. I think, let’s see how this evolves, but we certainly got a big, big talent there."

In the meantime, Arteta could be short on options, with a few big names still nursing injuries. Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Jorginho were not spotted in training on Thursday; football.london understands that .

When quizzed on the players who are currently sidelined, Arteta said: "The thing is we live everyday with what we've had. and suddenly I saw them all sitting together.

"[Takehiro] Tomiyasu, next to him Calafioiri, next to him Gabriel [Magalhaes], Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Thomas [Partey]. I thought to myself, that's a starting eleven."

Calafiori suffered a knee injury during Italy's clash against Germany during the March international break. The 22-year-old defender needed on-field treatment after awkwardly slipping.

Havertz suffered a hamstring injury during Arsenal's warm-weather training camp in Dubai in February. The 25-year-old make-shift striker underwent surgery on the muscle problem, before beginning a rehabilitation programme which could run into pre-season.

Jorginho injured his ribs during a 1-1 draw with Brentford earlier this month. The 33-year-old midfielder has not played since, missing four games; two in the Premier League and two in the Champions League.

On if Jorginho, Havertz and Calafiori could feature against the Cherries this weekend, Arteta said: "I wouldn't rule all of them out. Let's see in the next few days how they react."

Gabriel Jesus injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Gunners' clash against Manchester United back in January. The 28-year-old striker has since undergone surgery and started a rehabilitation programme, but he's not expected to be back until October.

His fellow countryman, Gabriel, pulled up during Arsenal's win over Fulham at the start of the month. The Gunners later confirmed that the 27-year-old defender required surgery, ruling him out for the season.

Tomiyasu remains out of action with a knee injury. He had missed the large majority of last season with a calf problem and he's played six minutes this term.

This is a developing news story that will be updated with relevant information as we get it. More to follow...