Max Dowman is the name that attracts high attention in the Arsenal squad with impressive performances during the Singapore tour.
At the age of 15, Max Dowman became one of the youngest players playing for the first Arsenal team. However, watching the midfielder in 2009 playing football, no one thought it was just a teenager. Declan Rice describes Dowman as “the best 15 -year -old player in England”. So who is Max Dowman?
Extraordinary talent at the age of 15
Having been launched in the second half in the matches against Milan and Newcastle, Dowman played very confidently, showing great potential in the mutant daring ball. In the match against Newastle, Dowman made a super product with a speeding phase from the middle of the pitch. It was also the 15 -year -old finance that brought the penalty after being fouled by Joelinton in the penalty area, enabling Martin Odegaard to score on the 11 -meter mark.
“It is special. What he did today before Newcastle was rare in a 15 -year -old player. We were extremely happy to have him,” Mikel Arteta said.
“The surrounding environment, his family, everyone at the club and the academy supported the best to put Dowman in the launcher. He took the opportunity to express himself when he was in the first team,” the Arsenal coach was satisfied.
At the Arsenal Academy, the coaches assessed Dowman as one of the biggest talents they have ever witnessed. In March, Declan Rice affirmed that Dowman was “the best 15 -year -old player in England”.
Last season at the age of 14, Dowman set the youngest player to play in the Premier League 2. Dowman's play is based on the outstanding technical qualities including strict ball control, good balance and the ability to shift in surprise. The ability to dribble skillfully and control the body to turn the 15 -year -old midfielder into a nightmare for young defenders, besides dangerous and sophisticated finishes.
Like any prodigy, the question is whether that Dowman can become a star in the future?
According to the former Arsenal winger, Perry Groves, who watched Dowman's development momentum, the 15 -year -old had everything to succeed.
“I have never seen a 15 -year -old player so good. He is at a completely different level in the young playground. What he is the best is to attract the opponent, stop and accelerate unexpectedly. It is his innate instinct.
The numbers also showed the special talent of Dowman: 20 goals and 10 assists in just 25 matches for the U18 Arsenal team. This achievement was even more impressive if he knew that Dowman rarely kicked the striker and was only 16 years old in December.
Dowman also had 14 appearances for the U17 U17 team, scoring four goals in the international arena. Although the Arteta plan for Dowman is unknown, the flexibility and intelligence of the 15 -year -old can help him develop into a winger or an attacking midfielder.
Arteta 'very satisfied' with the younger generation
Dowman is not the only young player to impress on the trip to Singapore. Center -back Marli Salmon (15 years old) and right -back Josh Nichols (18 years old), who debuted the first Arsenal team at the British League Cup last season, also scored with Arteta.
“I am very satisfied with all the young players. I think that the children can play at a high level even though they are only at the age of 15 thanks to the environment and culture in the club. When someone makes you feel comfortable and confident immediately, you can play and show what you have,” the Spanish coach said. Like Max Dowman, Marli Salmon and Johs Nichols are all in the bench in the matches against Milan and Newcastle.
In total, Arsenal had six adult players from the Academy in Singapore including Dowman, Nichols, Salmon, Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
According to Arteta that is a very good signal: “This is very good. The coaches and players at the Academy have worked hard and this is the time to give them opportunities and rewards. Young players have captured this opportunity. It is hard to believe when they are at the age of 15 but they have played mature against very strong opponents.”
But what about the specific case of Dowman? Will the 15 -year -old midfielder play a role at Arsenal in the Premier League next season?
“Finally, young players will always be in and around the team. They will get used to the dynamism and requirements of the team, especially improving physical level because football is at the highest level that requires very high physical level.”
“They are progressing and that gives them a good foundation, and they will have to make more efforts to meet the team's requirements,” Arteta said.
