Max Douman catches the eye on Arsenal’s Asian preseason tour and is ready to influence Mikel Arteta’s side despite still being in school this season.
It was an iconic commentary to celebrate the superstar in production.
“Remember the Name: Wayne Rooney” cried out television legend Clive Tildesley after scoring an incredible goal on October 19, 2002, five days before his 17th birthday.
We may soon have a new name on our lips. Arsenal teenager Max Dowman will not turn 16 until December 31st and will write his name in his record book this Premier League season.
Essex Rudd has trained with his first team for almost two years, but Declan Rice described him as “the best 15 year old in the country,” while Arsenal Academy coach Gustavo Oliveira likened him to the legendary Brazilian Kaka.
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Dowman has to get special permission to appear on the club’s pre-season Asian tour, still at school and get time to participate in training. He took a break from lessons to join the senior star at a mid-season break in Dubai last February.
Dowman played for the Euro this summer under the age of 17 for England, becoming the youngest goal scorer ever. Despite being three years above the age group, he scored 19 goals and provided five assists in 23 games under the age of 18 last season.
Currently, Douman is qualified, ready and will be part of his first team team. He attended a travel party for Manchester United’s season opening game on Sunday, giving him the experience despite not being named as one of the replacements.
I will not hold him back. He is an attacking midfielder, scoring goals, dribbling and running with the ball. Even if he doesn’t play every week, we can be sure there will be special moments and goals this season.
If Rooney was the original generation talent in the Premier League, and Jude Bellingham was a teenage global superstar, Dowman has the same astounding potential.
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon has even admitted he is reluctant to speak teenagers, but even among the other teenage talents at clubs like Ethan Nwanelli and Miles Lewis Skelly, Douman is “an exceptional talent.”
Dixon told betting company 10bet: “At this point, when we talk about such a child, I go back a bit and let him develop. Don’t put pressure on him. Often to young children, you need to take things from them, but this child is very special.
“That’s not to say that Nuwaneri or Miles Lewis Skelly isn’t, but this kid has something you can’t put your finger on, and he blows you away when he does his thing.
“You see the reels of his show, you see him when he comes in. His ability on the ball, amazing. We’ve been waiting for him for a long time. And Mikel said every club in the world knows him.
“We have an absolute gem in our hands. If you are good enough, you are old enough. He has already shown that he can do it.
Arsenal now realizes that he has almost a wealth embarrassment. From a position where they struggle to acquire young people, they now have arguably the best in the country. Teens Mali Salmon and Andre Harriman Anu could be next.
Lewis -Skelly became England’s youngest player to score in his debut at the age of 18 in March last year. Nwaneri is the youngest player in Premier League history after making his 181 days debut at the age of 15 in 2022.
Nuwaneri must be patient with his progress. Borussia Dortmund was the most likely club to push hard to sign him and seduce him, moving far ahead of Chelsea and the others. Instead, Nuwaneri focused on a mega contract to stay at Arsenal.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has to find a way to give him game time. But in the case of Douman, it could be a challenge that would just hinder him.
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