Max Dowman stood laughing as Declan Rice bounced the ball off his bottom throughout an open coaching session on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Hong Kong in the summertime.
The 15-year-old then tried to imitate the enjoyable piece of ability earlier than supervisor Mikel Arteta punched the ball away to cease Dowman finishing the motion throughout a light-hearted second.
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It was a reminder that behind the big expertise he has proven throughout his outings for the Arsenal first crew in pre-season – and now on his Premier League debut -that Dowman is a 12 months 10 scholar.
That coaching session occurred only a day earlier than he changed Gunners talisman Bukayo Saka in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur within the Kai Tak Stadium. {The teenager} got here on and seemed like Arsenal’s brightest attacking spark.
Dowman’s introductions in its place had been a few of the highlights of Arsenal’s pre-season, dazzling together with his runs down the right-hand facet and successful two penalties in opposition to Newcastle United and Villarreal.
At 15 years and 234 days previous, he has now turn into the second youngest participant to play for the membership, solely behind his team-mate Ethan Nwaneri who made his debut at 15 years 181 days in September 2022 in opposition to Brentford.
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The winger got here off the bench within the sixty fourth minute and excited the house crowd with a weaving run that was solely ended when he was introduced down by Leeds left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was booked.
Then in added time, Dowman once more confirmed fast ft earlier than being dropped by Anton Stach within the penalty space, with Viktor Gyokeres slamming residence the spot-kick to finish a 5-0 rout.
‘Dowman can ship issues I’ve by no means seen in my life’
“That is what we see each single day in coaching,” Arsenal boss Arteta stated when requested by BBC Sport in regards to the Dowman’s influence.
“We gathered the details about how he handles sure conditions, when it comes to coaching, being within the squad and never being chosen afterwards in Manchester [against United], approaching the bench and feeling prepared.
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“Once more, massive compliments to his household. I believe they raised a child with a degree of maturity, stability and starvation that may be very tough to see.
“And to the academy – Per [Mertesacker] and all of the coaches and everyone that has been concerned in that journey.
“As a result of there’s a child right here that has zero hesitation and is so satisfied that at 15 he can go and ship, which I’ve by no means witnessed in my life.
“For us he brings pleasure, he brings emotion and one thing else that makes our jobs so nice.”
Max Dowman’s contact map on his Premier League debut in opposition to Leeds [BBC]
The expertise of Dowman has not been a shock for anybody who has been round Arsenal. He has been coaching with the primary crew squad since he was 14.
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He was taken on the crew’s heat climate coaching camp to Dubai in January and there have been calls from supporters for him for use over the past marketing campaign when Arteta’s squad was decimated by accidents.
Dowman performed for England Underneath-17s within the Euros in the summertime and have become the competitors’s youngest scorer when he netted in a win over the Czech Republic.
He featured three years above his age group when enjoying for the Underneath-18s at Arsenal. Final season he scored 19 targets and offered 5 assists in 23 video games, with 17 of these objective involvements coming within the final seven matches of the Underneath-18 Premier League South season (14 targets, three assists).
Age restrictions stopped him from making his Premier League debut final season however now he’s eligible and with a possible hamstring harm to Saka, the younger winger might be about to be thrust into the highlight extra typically.
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Dowman changed Saka in 4 of the pre-season matches earlier than being given time without work to relaxation in opposition to Athletic Bilbao, however the winger appears filled with power in what might be his breakthrough season.
Arteta additionally stated that he must “defend” Dowman on his journey however that has not stopped his team-mates heaping reward on him.
“I believe everybody can see the potential he has. Taking part in in opposition to grown males. He’s a pleasure to observe, for the gang too he’s a pleasure to observe. Hopefully, he can have many superb years right here.” Jurrien Timber stated after the match.
And with accidents for Arsenal trio Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Saka, there could also be extra Premier League alternatives heading Dowman’s method.