Arsenal’s academy continues to produce some of the brightest young talent in football, and 15-year-old Max Dowman may be their most exciting prospect yet. With comparisons already being made to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, the teenage midfielder is turning heads with his maturity, skill, and fearless approach to senior football. From Premier League debuts to earning high praise from teammates and pundits alike, Dowman’s rapid rise is fueling talk of a future superstar in the making.
Mosquera in Awe: “I Couldn’t Believe He Was 15”
New Arsenal signing Cristhian Mosquera has seen plenty of talent in his young career, but even he admits he was stunned by Dowman. Speaking to The Athletic, the former Valencia defender compared Dowman’s style to Lamine Yamal — the Barcelona wonderkid who has lit up La Liga and Europe in recent months.
“I don’t mean to compare, but the way he plays, his movements, they’re so similar to Lamine Yamal,” Mosquera said. “When I arrived in Singapore and saw him training, I was shocked to find out he was only 15. He’s really something special.”
Mosquera believes Dowman is not just good for his age — he’s elite full stop. “He’s going to be world-class,” he added. “You see 17- or 18-year-olds like Myles Lewis-Skelly or Ethan Nwaneri and they play like seasoned pros. Max is the same — it’s just incredible.”
Record-Breaking Debut and Preseason Breakthrough
Dowman became the second youngest player in Arsenal’s history when he made his Premier League debut against Leeds United earlier this season — aged just 15 years and 235 days. He came off the bench in the Gunners’ emphatic 5–0 win, impressing fans and coaches with his calmness and technical ability.
Before that, he stole the spotlight in pre-season friendlies against AC Milan and Newcastle United, catching the eye with his vision, control, and ability to glide past defenders. Mikel Arteta described Dowman’s performance against Leeds as “special” — and he’s already made three senior appearances this season.
Arteta: “Everyone Loves Him — We Just Want to Hug Him”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been vocal in his admiration for Dowman, both as a player and a person. Speaking about how the first-team squad responded to training with the teenager, Arteta laughed: “The first reaction was, ‘Kick him!’ But Max stood up and went into the next challenge. He didn’t flinch.”
Now, Dowman has earned the respect of the entire dressing room. “Everybody loves him,” Arteta said. “You just want to hug him. He’s such a nice boy, very grounded, and very well-liked. There’s a responsibility on all of us to help guide him and make sure he has the best chance to fulfill his potential.”
Jamie Redknapp: “The Best Young Talent I’ve Seen Since Rooney”
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has followed Dowman’s journey since he was a child. In fact, the former England midfielder first spotted Dowman at a soccer school in Portugal when the Arsenal starlet was just seven or eight years old.
“I remember telling his mum, ‘Your little boy is a fantastic player,’” Redknapp recalled. “Even then, he stood out like nothing I’d ever seen. And now, as a 15-year-old, I say the same. He’s one of the best young players I’ve ever watched.”
Redknapp didn’t hold back on the scale of Dowman’s potential: “He has that same comfort on the ball that Wayne Rooney had at that age. A left foot to die for, confident, composed. Once he gets into the team properly, I think he’ll be impossible to drop.”
The Future Is Bright for Arsenal’s Youngest Sensation
With support from experienced teammates, a manager who believes in youth, and a humble, grounded attitude, Max Dowman appears to have all the tools to become a generational talent. If the early signs are anything to go by, Arsenal fans may be witnessing the rise of a future club legend.
