ARSENAL superkid Max Dowman scored his first goals in Europe this season – although he still ended up on the losing side today in the Uefa Youth League.
Yet this display for the under-19s, particularly in the first half, was the latest proof that it will not be long before we see the 15-year-old starring for the club’s senior team in the Champions League.
Max Dowman despite being only 15 has been included in Arsenal’s first team Champions League squadCredit: Getty
A week ago he became the youngest player to score for England under-19s in the 7-0 win against WalesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Dowman does not turn 16 until December 31 but has already been an unused substitute for in the European games against Athletic Bilbao and Olympiakos.
But he was a surprise starter at Boreham Wood in this 4-3 loss against , Arsenal’s third successive Youth League defeat.
Just a week ago, Dowman became the youngster player to score for England’s under-19s in a 7-0 thrashing of Wales.
And it was 12 months ago when the boy from Chelmsford became this country’s youngest ever scorer in the Uefa Youth League when, aged 14, he was on target away to Atalanta.
The records will keep tumbling, there is no doubt.
While the World Cup with England will come too early, the way he is going, Dowman will be knocking on the door for Euro 2028. That is an absolute certainty.
After starring for Arsenal on the summer tour of the Far East, as a substitute against and while he came on in the win at Port Vale.
Yet Arteta is clearly being careful with this precious talent even though he trained with the first-team in the pouring rain at Colney on Monday.
He made his Premier League debut against Leeds United earlier this seasonCredit: Getty
And you can see why other clubs around Europe are looking at Arsenal with Dowman because it is obvious he is a class apart in terms of his touch, vision and the way he carries the ball effortlessly.
Arsenal took an early lead through Harrison Dudziak and should have been given a penalty when Dowman was hacked down while delivering some magic in the area
Playing in the no 10 role, he was also on the receiving end of some other crushing challenges but even though Sergio Vinatea equalised for Atletico, Dowman sent the keeper the wrong way with a 28th minute penalty for 2-1.
Atletico level from the spot through Sergio Esteban in the 57th minute and sub Ruben Gomez made it 3-2 a couple of minutes later.
After playing a starring role in the first half, Dowman had less influence after the break and became frustrated with some of his team-mates but made it 3-3 from the spot in the 85th minute, only for Atleti’s Jesus Barrios to grab a winner 60 seconds later.
, who , was among the crowd with Jack Porter – who also trained with the first team – making some decent saves to keep his team in the game.
On the bench for Atleti was 17-year-old Daniel Fitzgerald. Although born in Spain, he has English parents.
