(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Fri 20 March 2026 13:19, UK

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Arsenal starlet Max Dowman has been heavily praised by England manager Thomas Tuchel after he was left out of the squad for the upcoming March internationals.

The 16-year-old has not been named in the Three Lions’ penultimate squad before this summer’s World Cup, and the manager has already explained the reasoning behind some of his selection decisions for the 35-man group.

Other Gunners stars Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke were all included for the upcoming clashes against Uruguay and Japan, but Dowman will have to wait a little longer to get his chance.

Tuchel has emphasised that he is a strong admirer of the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer, but also outlined that the latest squad announcement has come too soon for him on this occasion.

Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final this Sunday, in what could be another landmark day in Dowman’s ever-growing career.

Thomas Tuchel labels Max Dowman a ‘fantastic talent’

Dowman’s rapid emergence in the first team setup at the Emirates Stadium has prompted a recent clamour from fans to see him get the chance to represent his country at senior level.

The England U19 international scored his first Premier League goal in the 2-0 win over Everton last time out, but he has still played just 43 minutes of top-flight football, with Mikel Arteta keen to ensure that he doesn’t put too much pressure on his starlet.

While Dowman has missed out on getting the call-up to the England squad on this occasion, it is clear that Tuchel is already aware of his ability, and he has seemingly also earmarked him as a strong option for the future.

The German boss labelled the Hale End graduate as a “fantastic talent,” before detailing exactly what Dowman must do to ensure that he is considered for future squads.

“He (Dowman) has put himself in the spotlight,” Tuchel said at his press conference, according to journalist John Cross.

“The reality is that he’s not a starter at his club, but he’s in the best place, a great club and we always have the chance to call him for the World Cup. He needs to keep up his momentum. There is no need to call him up now and increase the pressure.”

Two Arsenal stars to join England squad after Uruguay clash

Saka recently signed a new deal at Arsenal, and he and Rice will both be central to their bid to claim the first major trophy of the season in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

With that in mind, the Arsenal duo have been included as part of a group of 11 players who will not join up with the England team until 28 March, the day after the first game of the international break against Uruguay.

Tuchel confirmed that some members of the initial party, which includes Eze and Madueke, would be cut from the camp ahead of the second game, with the rest combining to form the team to face Japan.

The boss was keen to stress that this allows him to get a look at as many players as possible before the World Cup, but Arsenal fans will surely be delighted to see their two biggest stars get a little more protection from injury.

The avoidance of the quick turnaround for Rice and Saka following Sunday’s final will also be a welcome bonus for Arteta, who will be desperately hoping that none of his quartet pick up injuries while away with their country.