The World Cup will almost certainly come too soon for Max Dowman but there is every chance the Arsenal star will break Theo Walcott's record as the youngest player to win an senior cap
Max Dowman in action
Max Dowman became the youngest Arsenal player to feature in an FA Cup game(Image: Getty Images)
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Almost 20 years ago, Sven-Göran Eriksson made a World Cup selection so left-field that the player himself thought it was a practical joke. Theo Walcott was actually taking the theory section of his driving test when his name appeared on Eriksson’s list and refused to believe it when his dad told him the news.
To be fair, not many of us believed it. Walcott had signed for Arsenal in January, 2006, as a 16-year-old, but had not made an appearance for the club’s senior side when Eriksson called him up.
Considering Eriksson left out an in-form Jermain Defoe, it was a bizarre choice. It was the type of selection unlikely to be repeated but watching Max Dowman tame a treacherous pitch and opposition in Mansfield, it was hard not to envisage him in a full England jersey.
Soon. Probably not as soon as World Cup 2026, obviously. A teenage masterclass at the One Call Stadium is not enough to get the one call from Thomas Tuchel.
But for those of us arriving late to the Dowman party, this was confirmation that Arsenal and England have a very special talent. First things first, until his slight error for the Will Evans equaliser, Dowman’s fellow 16-year-old, Marli Salmon, was also excellent in a demanding environment.
Mikel Arteta certainly has an array of youthful talent at his disposal. But Dowman was the most technically accomplished player on a difficult surface.
Thomas Tuchel smiling in press conference
Thomas Tuchel has already warned of putting too much pressure on young players such as Max Dowman(Image: Getty Images)
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Coming back from an injury lay-off, he seems to be strengthening up - both Dowman and Salmon easily coped with the close-contact physical demands posed by Nigel Clough’s side. Yes, it was a third tier opposition, but this was another significant step in Dowman’s development.
If you were being picky, you would say Dowman was not clinical with his finishing. He had good chances in the first and second halves and failed to beat Liam Roberts in the Mansfield goal.
Marli Salmon in action in a Champions League game
Marli Salmon made another good impression alongside fellow 16-year-old Max Dowman(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Either side of the Evans equaliser, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze showed Dowman how to finish ruthlessly, but the 16-year-old’s first senior goal cannot be far away. Of course, it will depend on how much game-time Dowman is given. But the fact Arteta decided he was ready to start after his injury lay-off shows he has complete faith in him, even at the age of 16.
Considering the demanding nature of Arsenal’s schedule over the next eleven weeks, Dowman could well play a significant part in the Gunners’ four-pronged challenge. And having suggested the idea remains fairly preposterous, there remains time for Dowman to give Tuchel cause for some serious thought, even though the England manager has already warned of the dangers of putting too many demands on the Arsenal player.
Max Dowman talking to Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta described Max Dowman's performance at Mansfield as 'incredible'(Image: Getty Images)
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But Dowman is clearly exceptional, in the same way Lamine Yamal was exceptional when he made his debut for Spain at the age of 16 years and 57 days. When Walcott made his international debut - before his Arsenal debut - in a friendly against Hungary in May, 2006, he became the youngest player in England history.
That mark of 17 years and 75 days still stands. Dowman will almost certainly not get the type of shock call-up that Walcott got, but he will surely be breaking his record before the year is out.
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