Arsenal plan to play youth midfielder 3 age groups up

Arsenal are set to give 14-year-old Max Dowman regular u18 minutes next season as they attempt to show a pathway for him, according to a report.

Youth football social media account TheSecretScout report that Arsenal will put Max Dowman on their u18s programme permanently in 2024/25.

Dowman will make the move from Hale End to London Colney, with Arsenal reportedly keen to show the youngster a pathway.

The 14-year-old will still be eligible for u15 football next season, but if the reports are to be believed, he’ll play three age groups up instead.

In some ways, the news isn’t very surprising. Dowman already played seven league games for the Arsenal u18s in 2023/24, managing an excellent record of two goals and five assists in those matches.

Dowman was particularly heavily involved for the u18s in the final months of the season, playing six of the team’s final eight games.

That period was arguably the team’s best spell of the season, and Dowman probably would have played all eight matches if not for a call-up from the England u16s in April.

The youngster has made five appearances for the England u16s in 2024, with his country also evidently keen to fast-track his progress.

Dowman’s impressive campaign culminated with some time in first-team training with Mikel Arteta in May.

There’s no suggestion the teenager is anywhere near a senior appearance, but the club are giving him the opportunities to test himself against the best.