
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, AC Milan, Mikel Arteta, Serie A
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, AC Milan, Mikel Arteta, Serie A
A compilation of Max Dowman's performance against AC Milan has become a major talking point amongst fans after the highly-rated teenager made his first senior appearance for Arsenal on Wednesday.
Dowman, who is still a year away from taking his GCSEs, made history in December last year, when he became the youngest ever player to feature in a Premier League 2 game at the age of 14.
He was unable to make his senior debut last season due to Premier League rules but after training with Arsenal's first-team squad for a number of months, Mikel Arteta teased a potential debut for the youngster back in May.
Asked whether Dowman would be part of his plans for next season, Arteta replied: "For the near future, yeah, let's see how this evolves, but we certainly have a big talent there."
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Arteta has previously lauded Dowman's so-called "unbelievable" quality and on Wednesday, the Spaniard decided to give the teenager his opportunity as the Gunners came up against AC Milan on their pre-season tour of Asia.
Dowman, who was also part of the group that travelled to Spain for a training camp last week, was introduced in the 65th minute against Massimiliano Allegri's side as he replaced Bukayo Saka.
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And he almost made an instant impact, firing a low strike narrowly past the goal. Dowman looked extremely comfortable in possession and clearly, the youngster is ready to make an impact at senior level, even at such a tender age.
Here's some fan reaction from the below compilation of Dowman's 25-minute cameo against Milan.
One wrote: "Max Dowman is only 15 years old. His comfort on the ball is a joke," and another commented: "I’ve seen enough. we have the best academy product in the country."
A third said: "Max Dowman's first match for Arsenal, he showed no fear on the ball or out of possession. Constantly drifting into central areas and making himself available. The power and physical toughness for a kid his age is incredible. Fun to watch."
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A fourth wrote: "Already ducking inside and jinking past players to win fouls and get shots off: all positivity and zero inhibition. Expect more first-team opportunities in 2025/26," and a fifth added: "Outrageous talent."
Back in March, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice described Dowman as "the best 15-year-old in the country" amid his impressive performances in training.
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Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Rice said: "I have had so many texts about Max recently. At 15, there is such a long way to go. You can be the best 15-year-old in the country, but it doesn't necessarily mean you are going to be at 18.
"So, you need to be hungry, keep working and keep pushing. I speak to Max a lot and he has got such a good family around him. He is unreal."