The Max Dowman phenomenon has England in a state

Does Arsenal have the next big thing in world football? As the English runners-up continue to spend lavishly in the transfer market, their best move could well come straight from their Academy. At just 15 years old, Max Dowman has just made his professional debut during the Gunners' Asian warm-up tour.

The British star, born on December 31, 2009 in Chelmsford (north-east London), played 25 minutes against AC Milan (July 23) and then 31 minutes against Newcastle (July 27). Two appearances on the pitch at the National Stadium in Singapore that aroused enormous fervor in the United Kingdom.

The young left-footer, who can play both as an attacking midfielder and a winger, managed to show off some of his exceptional talent, notably by winning a decisive penalty against the Magpies. "What he's capable of is something that's really unusual for a 15-year-old," admitted his amazed coach Mikel Arteta.

It's no coincidence, however, that the Spanish coach has integrated this precocious phenomenon into the first team during this offseason. Max Dowman has already been taking off for several months: he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Youth League (Under-19 Champions League) in September 2024. Then the youngest player to play in the Premier League 2 (English Under-21 championship) in December. Before making his mark at the Euro U17 last spring, notably scoring one of the tournament's most beautiful goals.

This gifted player, outclassed in every age category, even made his Arsenal teammate Declan Rice say that he had never seen such a strong player at his age in England. Spanish phenomenon Lamine Yamal, just 18 years old, would suddenly seem almost like a veteran...