ByTNT Sports

Updated 23/07/2025 at 19:16 GMT+1

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Arsenal may have unearthed their next Hale End gem in Max Dowman, the 15-year-old midfielder who made his senior debut in a pre-season win over AC Milan.

Introduced in the second half, Dowman became one of the youngest players to appear for the first team – even if only in a friendly – and showed flashes of the talent that has Arsenal’s coaching staff so excited.

That sentiment is widely shared at London Colney, where staff are said to rate him among the most gifted to come through the academy in recent years.

Last season, he became the youngest player ever to feature in Premier League 2, debuting at just 14.

Dowman’s game is built on standout technical attributes – tight control, balance, and an uncanny ability to shift direction at pace. His stop-start dribbling and body manipulation make him a nightmare for defenders at youth level, while his ball-striking ability gives him a genuine end product.

As with any prodigious talent, the question now is how well that translates to senior football.

According to former Arsenal winger Perry Groves, who watched Dowman live, the youngster has everything required to succeed.

“I had never seen a 15-year-old that good, ever,” Groves told talkSPORT. “He was on three different levels to anyone else on the pitch.

“What he does is engage players – stop, start, slow down, speed up. That’s something that’s born naturally in him.

“The only thing that can stop him now is injury or attitude.”

The numbers are as eye-catching as the performances: 20 goals and 10 assists in just 25 Under-18 matches, despite rarely playing as a central striker.

That return would be remarkable for an 18-year-old, let alone someone who will not turn 16 until late December.

He has also already made 14 appearances for England U17s, scoring four goals on the international stage.

Dowman is part of Arsenal’s senior pre-season squad this summer, the youngest member of the group, and is expected to be integrated further over the coming year.

Though it remains to be seen exactly where he fits into Mikel Arteta’s plans, his versatility and intelligence suggest a player who could develop into either a wide attacker or an advanced midfielder.

Arteta ‘very happy’ with Young Guns

Dowman was not the only youngster to make his first appearance for The Gunners at senior level in Singapore.

Fellow 15-year-old Marli Salmon was also involved, while 18-year-old Josh Nichols – who made his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup last season – also played.

“Very happy with all the kids,” Arteta said after the match.

“I think they are able to play at that level at 15 years old, in my opinion, because of the environment and culture that is within the team.

“When somebody makes you feel so comfortable and so confident straight away, you can go and do it.

“At least it gives you the best chance, and then you have to have the qualities this kid has to deliver against opposition like this.”

Arsenal had six academy graduates in total on the pitch in Singapore (Dowman, Nichols, Salmon, Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Myles Lewis-Skelly).

Josh Nichols, Max Dowman, Marli Salmon for Arsenal

Image credit: Getty Images

The Arsenal boss added: “It’s very good. There is a lot of work in our academy of the coaches, people involved and it is a moment to give opportunities and reward them.

“They certainly took their chance today in difficult circumstances against a very big team. Incredible how at 15 years old they can perform at that level.”

But what about Dowman specifically? Will we see him play a part this season?

“We don’t know with all the young kids,” Arteta explained.

“At the end they are in and around the team constantly and they getting used to the dynamics and the demands. And especially raising the physical levels because the demands they need to perform and impact at the level is really high physical standards.

“They are getting there and that gives them a good platform and they will have to earn it.”

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