Max Dowman became the youngest player to play in the fifth round of the FA Cup in the post-war era, breaking the record just seconds after his teammate Marli Salmon
12:55, 09 Mar 2026
Max Dowman and Declan Rice of Arsenal during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 16, 2025 in London Colney, England.
View 3 Images
Declan Rice has spoken about Max Dowman(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Declan Rice is gobsmacked at Max Dowman's commitment to football and education. The Arsenal star's reaction to spotting the teenager in his school uniform during a FaceTime call spoke volumes about the dedication needed to succeed in north London.
Dowman joined Marli Salmon on the pitch during Arsenal's 2-1 win over Mansfield Town in the FA Cup. They became the first pair of 16-year-olds to start the same game for a top-flight club in any competition since 1967.
Salmon initially held the record of the youngest player to touch the ball in the fifth round of the FA Cup in the post-war era. This lasted a mere six seconds, however, after Dowman secured this achievement.
Speaking to TNT Sports in September last year, midfield stalwart Rice admitted just how surprised he was at the teenager's efforts and attitude at Arsenal. He said: "Obviously, Max is only 15, just going to be turning 16 in December.
*FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page*
"I’ve never seen a 15-year-old so comfortable around the first team, it’s insane. They actually are just kids."
Highlighting Dowman's education status while performing for the Premier League leaders, Rice added: "I said to Max on the way back from pre-season tour, I couldn’t get my head around it that he was going back to school.
"He FaceTimed the other day and he had his school uniform on, and I was like 'Mate, you’ve just played in the Premier League a week ago, and now you’re walking back through the school gates.'
Max Dowman of Arsenal (L) and Declan Rice of Arsenal (R) look on during the Arsenal Open Training Session: Pre-Season Tour at Kai Tak Stadium on July 30, 2025 in Hong Kong, China.
View 3 Images
Rice was stunned by the teenager(Image: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
"Even me as a 15-year-old, going into West Ham’s first team dressing room, I would no way have been as confident as he was.
"I would’ve been quiet in the corner. Unless someone spoke to me, I wouldn’t have spoken to them, whereas I feel like now, Max especially, he’s just so confident in himself and his ability.
"The support network here is incredible and I’ve seen the academy - the way they work, it’s insane."
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, shakes hands with Max Dowman of Arsenal as he leaves the field after being substituted during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on October 29, 2025 in London, England.
View 3 Images
Arteta was also full of praise for Dowman(Image: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Rice's reaction to Dowman's attitude speaks volumes about the teenager's potential at Arsenal, given his confident nature among the senior squad. Boss Mikel Arteta was also full of praise for the youngster after his standout performance in the FA Cup.
He said: "Quality. Because the ball is bouncing all over the place, and you have people on your back.
Article continues below
"The way he handles the time, the space, the touches that he takes is just incredible. Especially at the speed that he delivers those actions. That tells you the talent that he has."
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£49
£35
Sky
Get Sky Sports here
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.