Max Dowman, a 15-year-old whiz-kid from Arsenal, has the world of football all a-twitter. Despite being born in 2003, he’s proving to be one of the quickly rising talents of the club. After a notable 2022 summer at the world level with England’s U17 team, Dowman helped lead her squad to a European Championship. Now, he finds himself in with an outside shot at a fast track to the U19 team.
Dowman has already capped 16 times for the England U17 side and scored five goals in international competition. His impact on the UEFA European Championship was critical, as he played in all three matches started on the European Championship. This experience has only further engraved his name as a key player at the youth level. It has set the stage for unrealistic expectations for his success.
The young talent has been hard to miss for Arsenal during pre-season. Coming off the bench on multiple occasions, he showcased his skills and caught the attention of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s head coach. Arteta’s comments reflected this too, as Arteta lauded Dowman as a “special talent” and emphasized the spark he brought to the pitch.
“There is a kid here that has zero hesitation and is so convinced that at 15 he can go and deliver, which I have never witnessed in my life.” – Mikel Arteta
Dowman’s playing style is highlighted by his incredible ball-carrying ability, often cited as his super strength. This combination of skill and guile, paired with his youthful exuberance, further sets him apart as one of the most dangerous players in MLS. Temisan Williams, a coach familiar with Dowman’s development, noted that “ball carrying has been his super strength all the way through.”
At only 15 years and 234 days old, Dowman became the youngest player to appear for Arsenal’s first team. That victory was a big accomplishment in his rapidly rising career. His time with the England youth teams started with the U16s before making his U17 appearance in 2024. His ongoing performance across all age grades highlights Dowman’s potential and readiness for a greater level of competition.
Dowman is still turning heads consistently on the world stage and moreso within the impressive ranks of Arsenal. Consequently, talks are now in progress to elevate him to the England U19 squad. This proposed jump not only speaks to his amazing skill, but his quick development in the senior game.
“He’s got all the capabilities; he’s got the mentality. Mikel Arteta wouldn’t bring him into the fold at that age if he didn’t.” – Williams
With every game, Max Dowman is making the case for why he might just be Arsenal’s most thrilling academy product to date. His path would indicate he’s going to be an important player here for his club. More importantly still, his greatest contributions to England’s triumphs to come on the world stage should lie ahead of him.
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