Arsenal's Dowman, 15, Shines On Premier League Debut

Max Dowman stood laughing arsenic Declan Rice bounced nan shot disconnected his backside during an unfastened training convention connected Arsenal's pre-season circuit of Hong Kong successful nan summer.

The 15-year-old past tried to mimic nan nosy portion of accomplishment earlier head Mikel Arteta punched nan shot distant to extremity Dowman completing nan activity during a light-hearted moment.

It was a reminder that down nan tremendous talent he has shown during his outings for nan Arsenal first squad successful pre-season - and now connected his Premier League debut -that Dowman is simply a twelvemonth 10 student.

That training convention took spot conscionable a time earlier he replaced Gunners talisman Bukayo Saka against Tottenham Hotspur successful nan Kai Tak Stadium. The teen came connected and looked for illustration Arsenal's brightest attacking spark.

Dowman's introductions arsenic a substitute were immoderate of nan highlights of Arsenal's pre-season, dazzling pinch his runs down nan right-hand broadside and winning 2 penalties against Newcastle United and Villarreal.

At 15 years and 234 days old, he has now go nan 2nd youngest subordinate to play for nan club, only down his team-mate Ethan Nwaneri who made his debut astatine 15 years 181 days successful September 2022 against Brentford.

The winger came disconnected nan chair successful nan 64th infinitesimal and excited nan location crowd pinch a weaving tally that was only ended erstwhile he was brought down by Leeds left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was booked.

Then successful added time, Dowman again showed speedy feet earlier being dropped by Anton Stach successful nan punishment area, pinch Viktor Gyokeres slamming location nan spot-kick to complete a 5-0 rout.

"This is what we spot each azygous time successful training," Arsenal leader Arteta said erstwhile asked by BBC Sport astir nan Dowman's impact.

"We gathered nan accusation astir really he handles definite situations, successful position of training, being successful nan squad and not being selected afterwards successful Manchester [against United], coming connected nan chair and emotion ready.

"Again, large compliments to his family. I deliberation they raised a kid pinch a level of maturity, stableness and hunger that is very difficult to see.

"And to nan academy - Per [Mertesacker] and each nan coaches and everybody that has been progressive successful that journey.

"Because location is simply a kid present that has zero hesitation and is truthful convinced that astatine 15 he tin spell and deliver, which I person ne'er witnessed successful my life.

"For america he brings joy, he brings emotion and thing other that makes our jobs truthful great."

The talent of Dowman has not been a daze for anyone who has been astir Arsenal. He has been training pinch nan first squad squad since he was 14.

He was taken connected nan team's lukewarm upwind training campy to Dubai successful January and location were calls from supporters for him to beryllium utilized during nan past run erstwhile Arteta's squad was decimated by injuries.

Dowman played for England Under-17s successful nan Euros successful nan summertime and became nan competition's youngest scorer erstwhile he netted successful a triumph complete nan Czech Republic.

He featured 3 years supra his property group erstwhile playing for nan Under-18s astatine Arsenal. Last play he scored 19 goals and provided 5 assists successful 23 games, pinch 17 of those extremity involvements coming successful nan past 7 matches of nan Under-18 Premier League South play (14 goals, 3 assists).

Age restrictions stopped him from making his Premier League debut past play but now he is eligible and pinch a imaginable hamstring wounded to Saka, nan young winger could beryllium astir to beryllium thrust into nan spotlight much often.

Dowman replaced Saka successful 4 of nan pre-season matches earlier being fixed clip disconnected to remainder against Athletic Bilbao, but nan winger looks afloat of power successful what could beryllium his breakthrough season.

Arteta besides said that he needs to "protect" Dowman connected his travel but that has not stopped his team-mates heaping praise connected him.

"I deliberation everyone tin spot nan imaginable he has. Playing against grown men. He is simply a joyousness to watch, for nan crowd excessively he is simply a joyousness to watch. Hopefully, he will person galore astonishing years here." Jurrien Timber said aft nan match.

And pinch injuries for Arsenal trio Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Saka, location whitethorn beryllium much Premier League opportunities heading Dowman's way.