Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman is set to feature with the first-team next season, according to reports - with his performances in training with the senior squad being enough to convince Mikel Arteta that he can play a role in trying to win the Premier League title from August onwards.
The Gunners have seen various players come through their youth system in recent years, including current England star Bukayo Saka, and youthful duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, who have both had their breakthrough seasons at the Emirates Stadium this time around. But Dowman could reportedly be the next best graduate to make the first-team, having impressed greatly throughout youth ranks in recent seasons.
The report by The Mirror reporter, John Cross, states that Dowman has been told that he will be part of Arteta's first-team next season.
The 15-year-old 'insane' has made a huge impression across the club's London Colney training base, after training with the club's senior stars - and now he's set for a role amongst those in the first-team next season.
Dowman is set to join Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia in the summer, an incredible feat given that he doesn't turn 16 until December - and his age meant that he wasn't able to play for the first-team this season, despite already being touted as one of the club's best-ever gems.
The talented midfielder has already trained with the first-team, been on a mid-season break to Dubai and earned plaudits for his performances in the FA Youth Cup this season - with three goals in three games in the competition going alongside his exceptional tally of 15 goals and five assists in just fifteen games in the under-18 Premier League.
There is no doubting Dowman's talent, especially after he scored against Atalanta in the UEFA Youth League at the age of just 14 - and the club feel that he could compete with Martin Odegaard for first-team minutes in the long-term. Interestingly, Dowman will still be at school next season and will be expected to attend lessons - which will take a priority over training.