Arsenal’s EFL Cup victory over Brighton wasn’t just another win — it was a night of history in the making. At just 15 years and 302 days old, Max Dowman became the youngest-ever player to start a match for Arsenal, underlining Mikel Arteta’s faith in the club’s new generation.
Dowman, already the second-youngest player to represent Arsenal and second-youngest to play in the Premier League after teammate Ethan Nwaneri, looked every bit the prodigy his coaches have long hailed. Calm, fearless, and brimming with natural talent — that’s how Arteta described him.
“A tiny smile, that’s what you get with him,” Arteta said. “Everything is natural for Max. He doesn’t make a fuss — he just plays football with courage and determination. What he’s doing at 15 is something special.”
Dowman dazzled with his dribbling, leaving Brighton’s defenders struggling to keep pace. He topped the match stats — most dribbles (5), most fouls won (4), and most duels won (9) — remarkable for someone still in his teens.
Arteta’s heavily rotated side featured four teenagers, including Dowman and Andre Harriman-Annous, both making their full debuts. The Arsenal boss said the experience was as rewarding for him as for the players.
“Giving someone their dream debut — that feeling is unique,” Arteta said. “I’m very happy things turned out positive, and we managed to win.”
From academy prospect to record-breaker, Max Dowman’s rise is proof that Arsenal’s future is already taking shape — one fearless teenager at a time.
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