Arsenal youngster Max Dowman became the youngest starter for a Premier League club in the Carabao Cup fourth round win over Brighton on Wednesday, but that fact isn’t just the highlight. The player’s talent was.
Max Dowman did not only feature on his record breaking first senior start, he displayed just why those at Arsenal can’t get enough of him.
Already made his senior debut against Leeds United in the Premier League, where he won a penalty converted by Viktor Gyokeres to secure a 5-0 victory in Matchday 2, Dowman had already made a couple of substitute appearances, both in the league and the Cup.
On Wednesday, against Brighton in the Emirates, he was named in the starting XI, becoming the youngest starter for a Premier League club at 15 years and 302 days, also the first to do so before turning 16.
Max Dowman starred in his first start
Max Dowman, up against Premier League regulars and a defence that had not conceded in their two Carabao Cup games before kickoff, as Brighton won 6-0 at Oxford City and repeated the same scoreline at Barnsley.
He didn’t take too much time before letting them know what they were up against, and was Arsenal’s brightest attacker on the night, constantly peering through the visitors’ defence, with his dribbling and movement.
The Hale Ender completed the most dribbles (5), won the most duels (9), and drew the most fouls (4), despite watching the final 20 minutes plus added time from the bench.
He grew into the game and started playing more with his teammates, playing in Ben White on a couple of occasions to launch crosses into the danger zone.
Max Dowman created one chance and made three recoveries before his withdrawal after the 70th minute mark, and replaced by Bukayo Saka.
This is just the start for Dowman and as Mikel Arteta stated after the game, the youngsters believe there’s a chance for them in the first team, and he is happy to see them take them when they come around.
The performance from Max Dowman against Brighton is one of those highlights, and the youngster will be optimistic of getting more senior opportunities as Arsenal continues their quest for a climax campaign across different competitions.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
