Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman has become the youngest player ever to score in a UEFA Youth League game.
Dowman — aged 14 years, eight months, and 19 days — scored Arsenal Under-18s’ only goal in a 4-1 defeat to their Atalanta counterparts to become the competition’s youngest-ever goalscorer since its inception in 2013.
Born on December 31, 2009, Bowman made his debut for Arsenal U18s in September 2023, aged 13.
He made seven domestic youth league appearances last season, including a game against Fulham in which he provided four assists.
The attacking midfielder has been a regular fixture for Jack Wilshere’s side this season despite being significantly younger than his team-mates.
He made his debut for the England Under-17s in September and scored in a 5-0 victory over Mexico.
Wilshere told club media in March: “There’s always a concern when fielding such a young player in these matches, but if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
“He (Dowman) can be more consistent but he’s only 14 and hasn’t even started his GCSEs yet. We need to find a balance of letting him play and enjoy because of his age but also trying to get as much work into him as we can.”
Fellow teenage midfielder Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest ever Premier League player after making his debut for Arsenal at the age of 15 during the 2022-23 campaign.
The now 17-year-old has made three first-team appearances for the club since then, including being a late substitute in his side’s north London derby victory on Sunday.
GO DEEPER
Inside Arteta’s managerial mindset – Pictionary, pickpockets and ‘collaboretition’
“A remarkably gifted prospect”
Analysis by The Athletic’s Arsenal correspondent Amy Lawrence
Max Dowman is a remarkably gifted prospect within the Arsenal youth system. He is on an accelerated pathway for both club and country, often playing several years above his own age group for both.
Dowman has a well developed physique and size which enables him to express himself in more advanced football circles, but it is his natural technique and vision which is his greatest asset.
He dribbles and surges past opponents, and has an extraordinary range of final pass and finish at his disposal.
Arsenal are keen to advance and nurture him in equal measure.
(David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
