A split image as West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady glances across towards Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Credit: Imago
Evan Shaw
Sat 30 August 2025 9:30, UK
West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady has delivered a frank verdict on a development at Arsenal.
The 56-year-old has gained a reputation for being outspoken over the course of her 15 years within the Hammers’ hierarchy, and she has been particularly prominent in the last few weeks.
Brady recently revealed that West Ham have no intention of selling Lucas Paqueta this summer, although that situation could potentially now change.
Her viewpoint is consistently visible in the public eye, and she has now weighed in on events across London at the Emirates Stadium.
West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady stands with her arms folded.
Credit: Imago
Karren Brady delivers ‘frankly ridiculous’ Max Dowman verdict
Brady also took a swipe at Mohammed Kudus during the same talkSPORT interview that her Paqueta comments came from, and she has now turned her attention beyond E20 and across to North London.
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The Hammers’ chief writes a regular football column for The Sun, where she comments on pressing issues within the Premier League and the game in general.
In her latest article, she discussed the emerging pair of Rio Ngumoha and Max Dowman, as the young duo continue to make waves in their breakthrough campaigns at first-team level.
Dowman came off the bench in the second half of Arsenal’s recent 5-0 win over Leeds United and won a penalty for his side, which was converted by Viktor Gyokeres in stoppage time.
The youngster was aged just 15 years and 234 days when he was introduced for his Premier League debut, a figure which Brady has branded “frankly ridiculous.”
Brady also labelled the Gunners’ starlet as a “precocious talent,” with Ethan Nwaneri the only player to be younger than Dowman when he made his top-flight debut.
West Ham will have high hopes for some of their youngsters
Ollie Scarles broke through into West Ham’s first-team last season, and there will be plenty of hope within the club that they could have some more youngsters of their own emerge in the next couple of seasons.
The Hammers won the FA Youth Cup back in 2023, and there are several talented players within the current crop of starlets.
Scarles made 15 Premier League appearances last season
Potts notched one goal and four assists across 35 starts for Portsmouth last season
Earthy made 37 appearances during a loan spell with Bristol City in 2024/25
Scarles should be in line for more Premier League minutes this season, while both Freddie Potts and George Earthy have returned from promising loan spells in the Championship.
Lewis Orford is another who is on the first-team radar, and it would be no surprise to see him given a chance in the near future.
While the Hammers may not have a truly generational talent akin to the likes of Dowman and Ngumoha, they do have several prospects who they rightly have high hopes for.
The East Londoners have a long history of bringing young talents through their ranks, and there is every reason to believe that their current crop could become Premier League regulars.
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