When it comes to identifying the future stars in Arsenal, or an academy throughout the country, perspective is for it. Only one player of an age group team that gets the Gunners First XI is rare in itself.
The case of 15-year-old Max Dowman, however, feels considerably different from many of the 'next big things' that have experienced a similar hype in their early teenage years.
Yes, it is very early days for Dowman – he doesn't even have a profile on the Arsenal Academy website – but all the ingredients are there.
For his age he is long – previously mentioned on 5ft 7 in but still grows – and very physically. In the Arsenal Under 19 UEFA Youth League matches this season, played against the Gunners' Champions League matches opposed, he often has been the star player of the team, even though he is from several age groups below.
In December he became the youngest player ever to appear for Arsenal at less than 21 level or equivalent for Arsenal after he came from the bank in a 1-1 draw with Brighton. A remarkable achievement.
And recently Rio Ferdinand tipped the teenager to become the next Academy star who break into the first team of Mikel Arteta. That prospect was getting closer this week and was mentioned in Arsenal's Touring Squad for a training camp in Dubai, after a similar trip last season that caused a point of 16 wins in 18 games.
Mail Sport understands that multiple Premier League academies have approached Dowman's father to register their interests of his son. They all eagerly follow their next steps, with 16 the minimum age for a player to sign a grant.
The earliest point that Arsenal can officially sign Dowman for stock exchange conditions is for the 2026-27 season.
Until that time, luring him would not be too difficult in terms of practical means. He turned 15 on December 31 and made this year all the crucial for his future.
Arteta handed Ethan Nwaneri his league debut against Brentford in September 2022, making him the youngest player in the history of the competition on 15 and 181 days.
It is understanding that Arteta is open to the idea of having Dowman on the first team bench for a competition before the season ends. The Arsenal -Hierarchy wants to show upcoming talent that there is a way to the first team after a summer exodus.
The will of Amario Cozier-Duberry, Lino Sousa and Reell Walters left for Brighton, Aston Villa and Luton Town in the summer, but the departure that hurt the most was that of Chido Obi-Martin.
The then 16-year-old had broken a whole series of records, but the striker chose to become a member of Manchester United, despite the gunners' efforts to keep him. It is not surprising that Arsenal does not want a repeat of this.
There are clear similarities between Dowman and Gunners Captain Martin Odegaard in terms of playing style.
Against sporty Lisbon's younger than 19 in November, the young person played in a straight midfield in the 3-0 defeat and had sure that players were assuming and hunting through the backline.
There were a few moments that he sprinted at full speed to close the opposition goalkeeper in a way similar to Odegaard, looking left and right to see that no one else joined him before stopping the field.
His physicality was particularly striking. Dowman originated consistently and bounced out of tackles with the help of excellent hip agility and a slim, but strong upper body. If it concerned shoulder-to-shoulder contact, he gave as good as he received and never seemed to be put off-even against stronger players for a few years his senior.
There was even a time when his aggression passed. In the second half, Sporting's Afonso Moreira jumped off the floor to confront an Arsenal player who seemed to have cut his head. Dowman came in wading and grabbed Moreira at the shirt, the two teenagers struggle for a few seconds.
Context here is the key – this was not your daily pushing and pushing. Moreira is a 19-year-old with a release clause of £ 50 million, Dowman is a 15-year-old who hardly started studying his GCSEs.
Against Inter Milan, when the Gunners lost 4-1, the ball seemed to be glued on his feet because opposition players dribbled or exaggerate time and again with challenges, so Dowman remained the room behind to make offensive steps.
In this game he played in a midfield role in which he cut from both flanks. When he stood opposite Atalanta, he played in a more conventional no. 10 roll behind the rush.
Arsenal's younger than 19 years of age suffered a disappointing campaign, lost four of their six UEFA Youth League matches and finished 26th in the 36 team table.
That means opportunities to get on the ball and drive ahead to opponents are hard to find. As a result, Dowman is sometimes too deep, because it seemed to receive possession.
He jumped in the public eye in September last year when Arsenal's when under the 18 manager Jack Wilshere Dowman handed his debut at the age of 13 in a 4-0 win against Southampton.
“Debut possibilities are not distributed slightly and Max has shown in recent months that he deserves this opportunity,” said Wilshere.
“He treated the moment admirably and sent the team an important message that when we introduce players, they have the quality to contribute effectively.”
Around that time he agreed in a boat agreement with Adidas after he was closed by Nike and Puma earlier in the season by Nike and Puma.
In February of this year, Dowman was called to the England under the 16S and then also debuted for the Under 17s in September, scored three goals in eight games.
He has made the habit of skipping age groups to domestic, European and international level. This is very abnormal, although it must be emphasized, that nothing is guaranteed despite his current process.
Charlie Patino is an example that is worth bringing forward here. Like Dowman, he is an attacking midfielder who played for the under the age of 18 at the age of 14.
Sean O'Connor, head Explorer at the club, described him as the 'best player ever through the doors on the Hale End Academy'.
In December 2021, a 17-year-old Patino made his senior debut in a 5-1 Carabao Cup quarterfinals victory against Sunderland and even found the net.
A way to a regular place around the first team seemed intended, but after a few overwhelming loan spells in Blackpool and Swansea, Patino signed in August last year for Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish Second Division. He made only three replacement performances this season, plus one start in the Copa del Rey, where Deportivo lost 1-0 to the third Tierse.
Football paths are unpredictable. But if you put money on which the Arsenal Academy player would be the next to become a star, Dowman would be a smart bet.
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