Arsenal wonderkid earns another call-up to senior training | OneFootball

Max Dowman, the 14-year-old midfielder, has been included in Arsenal’s first-team training once again, this time ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace.

This follows his earlier involvement in training ahead of the matches against West Ham United and Chelsea, further highlighting his rapid progression within the club.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Three weeks ago, Dowman joined a group of academy players in first-team training, including Jack Henry-Francis, Jimi Gower, Josh Robinson, Ayden Heaven, Tommy Setford, Alexei Rojas, and Lucas Nygaard. While Henry-Francis recently returned from a loan spell at Sligo Rovers, Dowman’s inclusion reflects a clear intention from Arsenal to prioritise his development and ward off interest from other Premier League academies.

Dowman’s age has excluded him from competitions like the FA Youth Cup, but these restrictions have created opportunities for him to train with senior players instead. His performances have clearly made an impression, with Mikel Arteta continuing to bring him into the first-team environment as a sign of the club’s commitment to his future amid reports his family were not happy when Jack Wilshere left for Norwich.

This season, Dowman has already made his debut for the U21s and recorded three goals and two assists for the U18s. He has also appeared in the UEFA Youth League with the U19s and represents England at U17 level.

Arsenal are taking decisive steps to show Dowman that his future lies at the club, with reports suggesting Arteta may even include him on a first-team bench this season in the Premier League to emphasise the pathway to senior football.