Max Dowman
A handy Max Dowman loophole has been discovered (Image: Getty Images)
As the saying goes, age is just a number. But for Max Dowman, it has posed a unique challenge this season. The 16-year-old Arsenal wonderkid etched his name into the record books last weekend by becoming the youngest scorer in Premier League history, netting his team's second goal in a crucial 2-0 victory over Everton.
Despite the achievement, he was unable to join his team-mates in the dressing room celebrations. This is due to Premier League rules stating that players under 18 must use separate changing areas from the senior squad, both on matchdays and during training. That limitation won't be in place this Sunday, however, when Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, as EFL regulations are different. Express Football understand that there is no rule in EFL competitions requiring U18 players to change separately from the senior team.
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Instead, clubs are encouraged to speak with the player's parents or guardians in advance to make sure everyone is happy with the setup. Wembley Stadium does offer separate facilities if Dowman and his family would rather use them - but ultimately, the choice lies with the club, the player and his family, rather than being mandated by the EFL.
Dowman has long been viewed as a future elite talent, especially after impressing on his senior debut in a pre-season friendly against AC Milan last summer at just 15 years old. He later became the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he appeared as a substitute against Leeds in August, before setting another milestone two months later as Arsenal's youngest-ever starter in an EFL Cup match against Brighton.
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A few weeks on, he reached yet another landmark, becoming the youngest player to appear in the Champions League after coming off the bench in Arsenal's victory over Slavia Prague in November. An ankle injury kept him out for three months, but he made a remarkable return against Everton by breaking James Vaughan's long-standing record as the Premier League's youngest goalscorer.
Max Dowman celebrates scoring vs Everton
Max Dowman has been breaking records all season (Image: Getty Images)
His standout performances led some to argue he deserved an England call-up. While Three Lions manager Thomas suggested that selecting him so early could place undue pressure on him, he also indicated that a future call-up remains a possibility.
"He's a fantastic talent. We still have a chance to call him for the World Cup," Tuchel said at an England press conference on Friday. "At the moment he competes for minutes so he's not a regular starter for Arsenal. He is in the best environment possible, he has to keep going.
"Why wouldn't I keep the door open? I keep the door open for anyone with any age... it's impressive what he's doing. It's impressive the feedback I get from players and people who know him, and we have a look at it and we make the last decision when we build the squad in May."
Mikel Arteta and Max Dowman
Max Dowman first caught the eye during Arsenal's pre-season tour last summer (Image: Getty)
Dowman is likely to be named in Arsenal's squad for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley. The teenager played in the Gunners' third and fourth round victories over Port Vale and Brighton, but missed the quarter-final and semi-final matches against Crystal Palace and Chelsea due to injury.
If Arsenal manage to defeat their rivals under the arch, it could mark the start of a historic quadruple, with the team performing strongly in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Should Dowman feature, he would become the youngest player ever to appear in a Carabao Cup final, beating the record set by Arsenal's Armand Traore, who started the 2007 final loss to Chelsea aged 17 years and 140 days.