Arsenal
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Arsenal academy sensation Max Dowman has been assigned a new squad number ahead of the 2025/26 season, signalling a significant step in his rapid progression through the club’s youth system. The update, reported by youth football expert Jeorge Bird, suggests the 15-year-old midfielder has officially been promoted to Arsenal’s U21 squad.
Dowman had previously worn the number 99 shirt, but will now wear the No 56 to reflect his elevation to a more senior level. “The fact that Dowman has been given number 56 suggests that he has officially been promoted to Arsenal’s U21 squad. Numbers for U18 players are from 70 onwards,” Bird explained.
The talented youngster, born on December 31, 2009, has made waves within Arsenal’s Hale End academy since joining the club at just four years old. He has consistently played well above his age group, featuring for the U18s at 13 and making his U21 debut at just 14. In December 2024, Dowman became the youngest player ever to appear in Premier League 2 when he played for Arsenal’s U21s against Brighton at 14 years and 336 days old.
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His rise has been punctuated by record-breaking performances, including becoming the youngest-ever goalscorer in the UEFA Youth League after netting against Atalanta in September 2024. He also produced a standout performance in April 2025, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in a dominant U18 win over Leicester.
🚨OFFICIAL: Max Dowman is Arsenal’s new number 56 ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The midfielder will play for the Arsenal U21s next season despite being an U16 player. pic.twitter.com/nxFgGVWRaV
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) July 1, 2025
Dowman’s performances have caught the attention of first-team manager Mikel Arteta, who described his training displays as “unbelievable.” The assignment of the number 56 shirt further solidifies his status as one of Arsenal’s brightest prospects and signals his increasing involvement with the U21 setup, as well as potential senior team appearances.
The number change also ends any possibility of Dowman setting a new club record for the highest squad number used in a senior matchday squad. His previous number, 99, was just one higher than the club’s previous record of 97, set by Reuell Walters in the 2023/24 season. However, Premier League rules cap squad numbers at 99, making his new number a more conventional fit for a player on the brink of first-team football.
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Dowman is expected to travel with the senior squad on their pre-season tour of Asia, where Arsenal will face AC Milan, Newcastle, and Tottenham. Arteta confirmed in May that the teenager would “probably” be involved in pre-season preparations, with a potential first-team debut on the cards later in the season, possibly in a domestic cup tie.
Now eligible to play in the Premier League as an U16 player, Dowman has also impressed on the international stage. He has scored three goals in ten appearances for England’s U17s and earned a call-up to the 2025 UEFA European U17 Championship. His technical quality, composure, and ability to beat players with ease have drawn comparisons to Brazilian great Kaka, according to Arsenal youth coach Gustavo Oliveira.
Dowman’s rise comes amid a busy transfer window for Arsenal, with Kepa Arrizabalaga already confirmed as the club’s first signing and further arrivals, including Martin Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard, expected in the coming days. Despite these senior reinforcements, Dowman’s development remains a priority, with Arsenal continuing to balance his academic commitments and footballing responsibilities, as seen during his inclusion in the Dubai training camp earlier this year.
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