Max Dowman

Dowman joined the youth academy of Arsenal in 2015, following time in the youth set-up at Billericay Town. He started playing with their Arsenal U18s in September 2023 at the age of 13. On 19 September 2024, he scored in the Arsenal U19's UEFA Youth League match against Atalanta at the age of 14 years, eight months, and 19 days. He therefore became the youngest goal-scorer in the competition's history. In December 2024, after becoming the youngest ever Premier League 2 player at 14 years old, he began training with the first team, with the intention to become part of the first-team squad during the 2025–26 season.

2025–present: Debut season

On 23 July 2025, he made his first-team debut in a pre-season friendly against AC Milan aged 15 years old in Singapore. On 23 August, he made his Premier League debut, coming on as a substitute for Arsenal in the 64th minute of their match against Leeds United, becoming the second youngest player in the league's history at 15 years and 235 days, behind only his teammate, Ethan Nwaneri. He won a penalty for his team in the third minute of stoppage time, helping Arsenal score their fifth goal in a 5–0 victory over Leeds United. Owing to his age, he is obliged to be chaperoned whilst with the team and is not allowed to change in the main dressing room under FA safeguarding regulations. On 29 October 2025, Dowman became Arsenal's youngest ever starter when he was named in the starting XI for the fourth round of the EFL Cup against…

A European Under-17 Championship. He featured as a starter in all three of England's games, including a 4–2 win against the Czech Republic, where he scored the opening goal. Dowman made his England U19 debut during a 2–0 win over Ukraine at Pinatar Arena on 3 September 2025. Dowman became the youngest-ever goalscorer for the England U19 side, beating Ryan Sessegnon's record from 2016, in a 7–0 win against Wales.

Comfortable playing in a number of positions, Dowman has been used as an attacking midfielder and as a traditional '10' for Arsenal's youth teams, but can also play as a right winger. He has been described as "skillful, energetic and naturally gifted in the final third". Technically, Dowman's set-piece delivery stands out. He has been entrusted with corner and free-kick duties at youth level. Arsenal youth team coach Gustavo Oliveira labelled Dowman the "next Kaká".

Max Robert Dowman was born on 31 December 2009 in Chelmsford, Essex. He grew up in a family of Arsenal supporters. He is distantly related to George Male who played for Arsenal either side of the Second World War: Male's two-times great-grandfather is also Dowman's four-times great-grandfather.