Max Dowman continues to make a statement with his performances, both for England’s Under-19s and Arsenal, amid a challenging period for the Gunners. As injuries to key players Martin Ødegaard and Noni Madueke loom over Arsenal’s upcoming matches, Dowman’s rising form offers a positive outlook.
The 15-year-old impressed yet again with a standout performance for England’s Under-19s, scoring his first international goal in a dominant 7-0 victory over Wales. This follows a string of notable performances, including his Premier League debut with Arsenal earlier this season. In that debut, Dowman won a penalty against Leeds United, which Viktor Gyökeres successfully converted.
His recent performances earned him a call-up to the Under-19s, moving up from the Under-17s squad. Dowman’s impact was clear once more when he earned another penalty in England’s match against Spain Under-19s last month, after a brilliant run that troubled Getafe’s Davinchi.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been keen to nurture Dowman’s development, even joking about the young player’s growing reputation among senior squad members. After one of the season’s early training sessions, Arteta recalled that Dowman’s impressive skills quickly drew responses from his senior teammates, with some even playfully suggesting they “kick him” to stop his progress.
Arteta, however, emphasized how impressed he is with Dowman’s resilience and maturity, especially considering the player’s age. “He was excellent. He stood up and got into the next one,” Arteta reflected. “You can really take an impression of someone who was 14 last year at some point when he was doing certain things to players.”
Now, as Dowman continues to develop and gain more recognition, Arteta highlighted how the entire squad has embraced the young talent. “Everybody loves him,” Arteta said. “You just want to hug him, help him. He’s such a nice boy as well, and he’s very much liked by everybody here. It brings responsibility to look after somebody with that talent.”
With Dowman’s skill and determination continuing to impress both on the international stage and in training at Arsenal, it’s clear that he has a bright future ahead. Arteta and the senior squad are committed to supporting his growth, ensuring he has every opportunity to reach his full potential.
