Max Dowman made his senior debut for Arsenal against Leeds United at 15 years and 235 days, becoming the club's and Premier League's second-youngest player. Ethan Nwaneri remains the youngest at 15 years and 181 days. Dowman is a Hale End academy graduate and is viewed as the most promising prospect since Bukayo Saka. He cannot sign a professional contract until age 17, leaving Arsenal to manage his development while resisting interest from rival clubs after recent youth departures to Manchester United. Dowman scored 15 goals with five assists in 15 U18 Premier League appearances and excelled for England youth sides against older opponents. He joined Arsenal's senior preseason tour and impressed in friendlies against AC Milan and Newcastle. Dowman plays primarily as an attacking midfielder or wide playmaker, most often from the right.
Arsenal youngster Max Dowman came off the bench to make his senior debut against Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday. At 15 years, 235 days, Dowman was the second-youngest player in Arsenal and Premier League history. Ethan Nwaneri holds the record for both after coming on as a substitute against Brentford in September 2022 aged 15 years, 181 days.
With Dowman still too young to sign a professional contract -- he is not eligible until he turns 17 -- Arsenal face the delicate task of nurturing his development, while fending off interest from competitors. The disappointment left by the recent exits of Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi to Manchester United remains fresh and there is a strong desire within the club to avoid losing another generational prospect before he has had the chance to break into the first team.
Dowman has already outgrown his age groups, producing standout performances in the U18 Premier League last season (15 games, 15 goals and five assists) and for the England youth sides, often against opponents three to four years older. His rapid ascent continued this summer as he was taken on Arsenal's senior preseason tour and put in some highly impressive cameos in friendlies against AC Milan and Newcastle, in which he showed very few signs of being overwhelmed by the level of physicality or intensity.
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