Jack Wilshere tells Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri how to earn Arsenal first-team spot

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There are few things more daunting than trying to break into a title-winning team.But that is the fate that could await Arsenal duo Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri who are yet to fully force their way into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.Ethan Nwaneri made five appearances for Arsenal before his loan spell at MarseilleGettyMax Dowman has been touted as one of England’s brightest stars for a generationGettyThe Gunners are closing in on a first Premier League title for 22 years while boasting one of the most complete squads in Premier League history.And if that’s not enough, Arteta’s side can complete a historic double by lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history if they overcome holders Paris Saint-Germain later this month.Whilst there are few more exciting destinations in world football right now, there will inevitably be questions to be asked of the club’s glut of promising academy stars hoping to break into the first-team squad.For others, like Nwaneri and Dowman who sit on the fringes of the senior squad, their development over the coming seasons will hinge on what game time will be afforded to them.Nwaneri has already set out his stance.The midfielder, who became the youngest player to ever appear in the Premier League at the age of 15 years and 181 days, moved to Marseille in January in the search for first-team football.However, despite netting on his debut for the French giants, the 19-year-old quickly slipped down the pecking order after Habib Beye replaced Roberto De Zerbi as boss in February.Dowman’s situation has been slightly more favourable this season with the 16-year-old having started in the FA Cup matches against Mansfield and Southampton.The starlet has also clocked up three Champions League appearances while becoming the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at 16 years and 73 days old, after his goal in the 2-0 win over Everton in monarch.But there becomes a time when individual moments must make way for extended runs in the team.Max Dowman wrote himself into the Premier League history books in MarchGettyJack Wilshere broke through at the Emirates under legendary boss Arsene WengerAnd there are few better placed individuals to share their insight than former Gunners academy graduate Jack Wilshere who made 197 appearances for the club over a ten-year period before going to to coach Arsenal’s Under-18s side.Wilshere’s take on Arsenal’s teen sensationsAsked how both players can force their way into Arteta’s thinking next season, Wilshere told The Sports Breakfast: “I think they are two different situations because Ethan’s a little bit older and he’s had more moments in the first team than Max.“Max is still trying to find his way in. I don’t think he’s started a Premier League game. I know he’s started in the FA Cup.“He’s still in that position where he’s coming on and making a difference, but turning that into a start is completely different.“I’m sure he will,” Wilshere said of Dowman. “He’s still really young. Honestly, I’d never seen anything like it when I had him in the Under-18s.“The talent, the ability to change a game. It was unbelievable.”Nwaneri netted on his Marseille debut but went on to feature just ten for times for the French clubAFPHow to make the break throughWilshere went on to praise Nwaneri’s decision to try his hand in Ligue 1 and explained how both players can leave a marker early into the new season.“Ethan is slightly more established and he wanted to go out on loan and get some football,” Wilshere added. “It didn’t quite work out for him but he would have learned so much about real live football.“He would have learned more than that over in Marseille with how emotional they are and the fans and what they demand. It’s different.“I feel like pre-season is big for both of them. I used to think like that as a young player, when it gets to pre-season and the off-season you do everything you can to come back and make sure you’re ahead of everyone.“In pre-season everyone gets a chance, the minutes are shared. Then, it’s down to them to show Mikel and earn a place in his team.“It will be hard, especially if they go on to be champions because expectation just goes up again.“They both have the ability to do it but it’s down to them.”