**Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya says he is amazed by how quickly Max Dowman has taken to playing at senior level.**
Whilst away with the Spanish team, Raya was asked to compare the 15-year-old to his international teammate Lamine Yamal. He was not willing to compare them as footballers, but he believes both have a very similar mentality:
“They’re alike in that every time they step on the pitch, they enjoy playing and are always playing with a smile. It seems like they’re playing at school. They go out there to play and to enjoy themselves.”
“It’s clear that they want to compete and help the team, but that naturalness to play football at that age – to the calibre they’re playing at – is incredible. They do it with an incredible abandon.”
Dowman has already made a big impression
----------------------------------------
Despite having only made his first-team debut against Leeds United back in August, the teenager has shown that he is more than ready to play at the highest level.
[**Dowman**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-midfielder-max-dowman/)‘s ability to glide past players and use his excellent ball control to get the better of opponents is extremely impressive to see.
Is it fair to compare the Arsenal youngster to Yamal?
-----------------------------------------------------
Raya was smart with the answer he gave. The keeper could have easily made a more direct comparison, which could have put more pressure on Dowman.
He is still only 15 after all, and while Yamal did develop his talent at a very young age, every player is different.
It remains to be seen whether Dowman will reach the heights that the Barca superstar has already attained, but fans know that they do have an outstanding talent in the squad who has the potential to go on to do great things in the future.
[**Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-first-team-squad/)