Arsenal have made a real name for themselves in recent years when it comes to turning talented young players into Premier League stars.
Bukayo Saka came through the ranks at Hale End to become a star for Arsenal and England, and Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are following in his footsteps.
The next Arsenal youngster expected to one day progress to the first team is Max Dowman, who has been making waves at Hale End despite being just 15 years old.
David Ornstein has now shared what he knows about Dowman’s future at Arsenal and what the Gunners have in store for the academy prodigy.
Arsenal ‘appear to be in a strong position’ to retain Max Dowman
Ornstein’s latest Q&A in The Athletic saw a number of fans ask questions about several English football topics, such as Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future.
An Arsenal fan asked Ornstein whether he had any news on Dowman’s future and whether the player is likely to sign a scholarship at the club when he turns 16.
“I guess it’s down to Arsenal to do enough to convince him to sign,” said Ornstein. “And obviously we might not know if they’ve succeeded in that until late 2025 or early 2026.
“Given he has come through there and is an Arsenal fan, they appear to be in a strong position.
“But considering most big clubs would love to sign him, Arsenal will need to prove their pathway and plans are right for him. He, in turn, must continue to excel as well.”
Dowman is currently ineligible to play in the Premier League due to competition rules.
To be able to participate in the Premier League at any point during this season, a player must have turned 15 before August 31, 2024, which was not the case with Dowman.
Ornstein continued: “There’s been no suggestion that he’ll get special dispensation to play for the first team this campaign, so unless that changes in these final months the focus will be on continuing to integrate into the senior setup in pre-season and shining in 2025-26.
“The fact Arsenal took him Dubai recently indicates how highly Mikel Arteta thinks of Dowman so let’s see how the next weeks go (he has big games for England this week and next) and also show respect to the development of a precocious young talent for club and country.”
What people at Arsenal have been saying about Max Dowman
Dowman has been breaking records for Arsenal, making his U18s debut aged 13 and featuring for both the U19s and U21s at 14 years of age.
In addition, Dowman is the youngest ever UEFA Youth League scorer and is also the youngest ever player to feature for any club in the Premier League 2 since it was formed in 2012.
Rio Ferdinand sung Dowman’s praises a month ago after seeing him at Arsenal’s Dubai warm-weather training camp.
He also he shared what Gunners insiders have been saying about the youngster.
Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: “I went to Dubai the other day, I see the Arsenal team the other day. I didn’t watch them train but I’m hearing – mate… (puffs his cheeks).
I’ve watched him personally live and I came away from the game going: ‘Wow, what have I just seen?’
“The confidence [is] on another planet. Don’t forget, at the time I’ve seen him, he was 15-16 and was playing against 18-year-olds.
“Some of the guys at Arsenal are saying he’s walking over there into training with the Arsenal first-teamers like it’s nothing. It’s like he’s meant to be. It looks like the confidence is on a 100.”
A number of top talents who came through the ranks at Arsenal have slipped through the net, such as Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven, both now at Manchester United.
Arsenal will be mindful of interest from other clubs and will be eager to get him to commit his long-term future to the Gunners when they get the chance.
