Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been sent a fresh reminder of the serious talent in his academy after teenage prospect Max Dowman dazzled for the Under-18s on Saturday. The 14-year-old has played four years above his age group on multiple occasions this campaign and he is rapidly working his way through the England youth ranks.
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The likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah have successfully graduated from Arsenal's academy and into the first team in recent years. And there are plenty more working away behind the scenes in the hope of following suit.
Ethan Nwaneri has appeared off the bench this season, as he did last term, despite only turning 17 earlier this month. There is also serious excitement surrounding 16-year-old Chido Obi-Martin.
The striker gained notoriety for scoring 10 goals in a demolition of Liverpool's Under-16s earlier this term. And he was on target again four times this weekend as Arsenal's youngsters dispatched Fulham 5-2.
Obi-Martin playing two years above his age group and impacting the game so significantly is hugely impressive. But perhaps even more eye-catching from the Fulham victory was Dowman, playing with prospects four years older than him, notching three assists and winning a penalty.
Gunners fans are reluctant to place too much pressure on the 14-year-old at this stage of his development, but the manner with which he is handling high-quality youth opposition has set tongues wagging.
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Dowman first turned out for the Under-18s when he was only 13, and he has taken the habit of playing with stars much older than he is to the international stage too. Recently he joined up with the England Under-16 side that won the Football Federations Cup, and a compilation of the wonderkid's flicks and tricks went viral on social media.
A silky left-footed midfielder, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal boss Arteta will look to give Dowman a shot in the first team over the coming years.
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Nwaneri is the youngest player ever to appear in a senior match for Arsenal (15 years and 181 days), setting the record by coming off the bench against Brentford in 2022.
Any threat of Dowman challenging that is still seemingly some way off, with the Gunners in the thick of a Premier League title battle, which will continue with a daunting trip to face Manchester City on Sunday.
