Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman has been informed that he will be included in the first-team squad next season. The 15-year-old is also expected to participate in Arsenal's pre-season tour in Asia this summer which is a clear indication of his enormous potential. Dowman, who doesn't turn 16 until December, was not eligible to play for the first team this season despite already being hailed as one of the club's most promising talents ever.
However, Dowman has been turning heads as he has already trained with the first team, took a mid-season break to Dubai and received praise for his performances in Arsenal's FA Youth Cup campaign this season. The Gunners midfielder, known for his creative prowess, is also set to represent England in the under-17s European Championships this summer.
Dowman is viewed as a future England star and is already considered to have the skills necessary to vie for a first team spot and even challenge club captain Martin Odegaard in the long run.
Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri currently holds the record as the youngest Premier League debutant, making his senior debut aged 15 and 181 days when he came on as a substitute at Brentford in September 2022.
Current Premier League regulations stipulate that players in a matchday squad must not be from an age group younger than the U16s, with Dowman having been registered with the U15s at the start of the season.
Dowman will still be at school next season and will be expected to attend lessons as well as training.
Mikel Arteta was full of praise for young talent Dowman, calling him a "big, big talent" after impressive showings in training. "He trains with us a lot," Arteta remarked.
"I think he is in the right pathway and everybody in the academy has done an incredible job to consistently protect him, inspire him, challenge him, keep him always up and the levels that he could produce, and he is doing well. He is doing the right steps and taking it slowly. He will dictate how fast we go."
Arteta's confidence in Dowman has been further reinforced as the youngster has been assured a spot in the first team squad next season and will join the summer tour.
Dowman is the latest in a string of promising youngsters at Arsenal, following in the illustrious footsteps of Nwaneri and the sensational Myles Lewis-Skelly.
With the club's youth proving a valuable asset this season, Arteta has his sights set on a busy summer. The transfer window may see some high-profile exits including Jorginho heading to Flamengo and Kieran Tierney likely to leave.
Temporary signings Neto and Raheem Sterling will return to their permanent clubs whilst Thomas Partey hopes to stay despite an uncertain future. Oleksandr Zinchenko is interesting Borussia Dortmund, leading to potential departure chatter.
The Gunners are eyeing reinforcements, specifically a central striker with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko topping the list. A left winger, Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi - who could join for £51m - are also targets.