Max Dowman England
Image credit: Getty Images
The English Football Association are weighing up a bold step in the development of Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman, withSky Sports reporting that coaches are considering promoting the 15-year-old to England’s Under-19 squad for next month’s international fixtures.
Dowman’s sensational Premier League debut in Arsenal’s 5-0 demolition of Leeds United where he became the league’s second-youngest player in history and won a penalty has intensified discussions about fast-tracking him into the U19 setup.
At just 15 years and 235 days old, the midfielder came off the bench at the Emirates to showcase fearless dribbling and composure beyond his years, drawing a foul that capped Arsenal’s dominant win.
His performance earned glowing praise from Sky Sports pundits Theo Walcott and Jamie Redknapp, who hailed him as a “special talent” with the ability to unsettle defenders. Walcott added: “He’s fearless. You can see why Arteta trusts him already.”
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The FA’s interest in skipping Dowman past the U18s and into the U19 squad highlights the extraordinary potential he has already shown. He has 16 caps and five goals for England’s U17s, starting all three games at this summer’s U17 European Championship, and his rise mirrors that of teammate Ethan Nwaneri, who was promoted to the U21s at just 17.
Max Dowman v Leeds United
Max Dowman made his Premier League debut against Leeds United (Image credit: Getty Images)
Any U19 call-up, however, would require the approval of both Arsenal and Dowman’s family, with careful management of his physical and mental development at the forefront of discussions. Sky Sports reports that talks between the FA, the club, and his family are already underway to ensure his pathway is handled responsibly.
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Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, have built a reputation for nurturing young stars, with the manager previously describing Dowman as a “unique talent” who has the ability to “change games.” Against Leeds, he completed 12 of 14 passes and created a decisive moment, reaffirming the hype surrounding the Hale End academy graduate.
Comfortable as a No. 10 or wide attacker, Dowman has drawn early comparisons to former Arsenal prodigy Jack Wilshere. A promotion to the U19s would place him in contention for UEFA U19 Championship qualifiers, with the FA viewing him as a central figure in their long-term plans and potentially a future senior international.
For Arsenal, the priority will be balancing his international exposure with his gradual integration into the first team, as Arteta looks to keep his young squad firing in both the Premier League and Champions League this season.
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