Chido Obi Sends Message to Max Dowman After New Arsenal Injury Update

Arsenal's rising star Chido Obi has reached out with a heartfelt message to teammate Max Dowman following the latest positive injury update on the teenage sensation's recovery.

Dowman, a highly-rated 17-year-old midfielder who recently signed a pre-contract agreement committing his future to Arsenal, has been sidelined for two months with ankle ligament damage sustained during an Under-21s friendly against Manchester United at St George’s Park last month.^[1] The injury initially raised concerns for the club's youth setup, but recent developments have brought optimism.

Mikel Arteta provided encouraging news, stating, “He’s on the pitch now, he's doing well and hopefully we're going to be able to see him soon,” with a potential return targeted for February.^[1] Arsenal confirmed Dowman has returned to full training ahead of their FA Cup clash against Wigan Athletic, marking a significant boost after his prolonged absence.^[2]

In a separate update ahead of the Nottingham Forest match, Arteta noted Dowman might be available soon, pending discussions with the medical staff.^[3] Recent reports indicate he remains out for the immediate clash against Brentford but is expected back in about a week or slightly longer, with the club adopting a cautious approach to manage his comeback.^[4]

Moved by the progress, Chido Obi, Arsenal's prolific academy forward, sent a supportive message to Dowman on social media: "Get well soon, Max! The team's waiting for you. Keep pushing! ❤️‍🩹 #Gunner."^[1] Obi's gesture highlights the strong camaraderie within Arsenal's youth ranks, as both players are seen as key prospects for the first team.

This update comes amid broader Arsenal injury concerns, including issues for Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard's replacement Martin Merino, who faces surgery for a suspected broken bone in his foot.^[1] Dowman's imminent return provides a silver lining for the Gunners' squad depth.

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