Arteta praise after cup win
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Max Dowman has secured another entry in Arsenal FC’s history books. In the 2-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the 15-year-old talent was in the Gunners’ starting line-up for the first time in a competitive game. At 15 years, nine months and 30 days, he is the youngest professional in the club’s history.
The only other player who was on the field for Arsenal at the age of 15 is Ethan Nwaneri, who was two months younger when he made his debut in September 2022 than Dowman was when he made his first appearance. However, the now 18-year-old was only in the starting line-up for the first time around two years later.
Coach Mikel Arteta spoke of a “great evening” and heaped praise on Dowman and Andre Harriman-Annous, who was also in the starting line-up at the age of 17: “I think everyone is very, very proud of what they did, of how they responded to this great challenge at their age and of the fact that we won the game.”
Dowman, who was playing for the professionals for the fourth time and has already contributed an assist in the Premier League, “is just doing what he does best, which is playing football. Today he showed incredible skills again,” explained Arteta. It can be assumed that he will continue to receive “regular assignments” in the coming weeks. At the same time, it is the club’s job to protect the player. “There are a lot of things that are new in his life. We have to make sure he takes the right steps. And he has to be able to deal with it.” Dowman will also only receive a market value when he turns 16.