At just 15-years-old, Arsenal youngster Max Dowman keeps defying what should be possible for a player of his age.
In 20 matches for Arsenal U18s this season, Dowman has scored 15 goals from midfield, playing against much older players more often than not.
Of course, that is exactly why Mikel Arteta has consistently given the youngster an opportunity to be around Arsenal’s first team squad this season.
The Gunners have seemingly been keen to show Dowman that a path to success does exist for him at the Emirates stadium — they won’t want to lose such a big talent to a rival.
And after Dowman’s latest showing for Arsenal’s youth team scoring four goals against Reading, it’s clear why.
Dowman once again wore the captain’s armband in a 4-0 win, scoring all of his goals from the right-wing.
Max Dowman praised for underrated side of his game
That being said, whilst Arsenal U18s coach Adam Birchall did praise Dowman when speaking after the game, he understandably seemed keen to steer the spotlight away from the 15-year-old somewhat.
Birchall praised the team more than any individual, despite Dowman’s four goals.
However, when looking forward to next week’s North London Derby for the U18s, Birchall did hail Dowman for the example he’s been setting with his defending and willingness to compete in duels across the pitch.
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Birchall said: “The challenge again will be to raise the bar from today’s game and learn from today’s game and bring it out in the game on Tuesday.
“I think as young people, they can hear a lot of what you can’t do well. I think when you are getting success as well, really highlighting that for players.
“Max Dowman was the example of that today. Everyone will remember he scored four goals, but what I saw in his defending intentions and his willingness to compete with aerial balls, things like that, I thought he really led the way today.”
Arsenal still need to be careful with Max Dowman
Recently, Ashley Cole made a claim about Dowman at Arsenal, a youngster he was clearly keen to see rise to the top.
And when considering underrated aspects of the youngster’s game, Dowman has shown incredible leadership for Arsenal’s youth sides recently too.
Dowman won’t turn 16-years-old until just December so Arsenal fans might have to stay patient before they see the young attacking midfielder in Arteta’s first team.
However, the England U17 international clearly has every bit of talent and potential that is needed to succeed at the Emirates.
And say it quietly but some even consider Dowman to be a bigger talent than Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri at the same age, a duo who already look set for so much success over the next decade and more.
