1 week ago
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On Gunners pre-season tour
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Last March, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice described Hale End academy product Max Dowman as ''the best 15-year-old in the country". In recent years, we have seen the likes of Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly progress through the youth-team ranks and make a huge impact on the first-team, but the excitement around teenager Dowman might just eclipse all of those aforementioned talents. It's also a sentiment shared by manager Mikel Arteta. In May, he stated: "Let’s see how this evolves but we have certainly got a big, big talent there." Clips on social media of Dowman effortlessly weaving through opponents have been surfacing for some time now.
Last February, Dowman, having only just turned 15 years of age, started for Arsenal U18 in their FA Youth Cup semi-final against Manchester United U18, and was the best player on the pitch. In that game, he picked up the ball in his own half, tormented defenders three years his senior, won a penalty, and then converted it, and was a constant menace. At this summer's U17 Euros, England disappointed and went out in the group-stage, but once again Dowman was their most exciting player, scoring a superb goal against Czech Republic U17s. The teenager is currently on Arsenal's pre-season tour in Singapore, and many expect him to make his first-team debut next term. He doesn't turn 16 until New Years Eve, but could Dowman be set for a breakthrough season with the Gunners?
What type of player is Max Dowman?
Dowman’s awareness and confidence and ability running with the ball are what really set him apart. He has the natural attribute that is so hard to find of being able to manipulate his body and stop, start over and over again to torment defenders. When we add to this, his strong ball-striking and finishing, it makes a frightening prospect. At times, it can look impossible for fellow defenders to stop him. However, he will now enter a crucial period in his development, and his incredible early progress is no prerequisite that Dowman will be able to repeat this at senior level against the best defenders in the Premier League. Nevertheless, at this stage, it would seem that only injuries or attitude will stop him making it to the top.
His statistics for the Arsenal U18 team are frightening. As illustrated in the graphic above, he has scored 20 goals and provided 10 assists in just 25 games. Now, when we consider that Dowman is A) not a striker and B) still 15-years-old until late December, these stats are truly mind-boggling. He has also already represented England U17 14 times, scoring four goals. As aforementioned, he is part of Arsenal's pre-season tour - the youngest member of the group - and is expected to get opportunities with the first-team next season. But where might he fit into Arteta's plans?
Where will Max Dowman fit in at Arsenal?
At youth level, Dowman has played the majority of games either as an attacking midfielder or a right-winger. He lined up on the right-flank for England U17s this summer, and was a constant threat cutting in on his favoured left-foot. However, he is very comfortable with both feet, and many see his long-term future in a right no.10 position - similar to that of current Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard. Nevertheless, the versatility to occupy multiple roles will likely be crucial in terms of him accumulating minutes for the first-team at this stage of his career. Dowman truly has the ability to be labelled a generational talent, but will have to work hard to break into this Arsenal team at such a young age.
