Arsenal have made a real name for themselves in recent years as a club that gives youth a chance.
Bukayo Saka is the biggest success story to come through the Arsenal academy ranks, but he’s by no means the only one.
This season, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have made their breakthroughs in the Arsenal first-team.
Now, Lewis-Skelly has responded when asked who he thinks will be next to graduate from the Hale End setup and burst onto the scene.
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Myles Lewis-Skelly says Max Dowman is ‘coming through’ at Arsenal – but stresses it’s ‘not just him’
Lewis-Skelly has named Max Dowman as the next Arsenal youngster who looks set to be a sensation.
However, Lewis-Skelly stressed that it’s “not just him”, suggesting that there will be many more top talents coming through because of how Hale End is set up.
“There’s Max [Dowman] coming through but it is not just him,” Lewis-Skelly told Sky Sports.
“There’s going to be someone that comes through because it is in the Hale End DNA to produce players. Everyone will come through in their own time.”
Lewis-Skelly also spoke of how important the Arsenal academy has been in terms of his development.
“The person I’ve become is because of Hale End, they instil good values in you,” Lewis-Skelly said.
“It allows you to cope with the step up to the first team because at our academy it is in the DNA to produce players for the first team.
“For example, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji made his Premier League debut (last week).
“From David Rocastle to Eddie Nketiah to Reiss Nelson to Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, it’s something our club values and we are all together.”
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice recently hailed Dowman, deeming him “unreal”.
Rio Ferdinand has also sung Dowman’s praises, hailing him earlier this year after seeing him at Arsenal’s Dubai warm-weather training camp.
READ MORE: What Arsenal coaches said about Max Dowman after scoring four goals in one game vs Reading
Why Max Dowman is yet to make his Arsenal debut
Dowman is just 15 years of age but he is doing so well in the Arsenal youth ranks that there have been calls for him to get Premier League minutes.
He 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.
However, Premier League league rules mean Mikel Arteta isn’t allowed to hand him his English top-flight debut.
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.
