The stats from Max Dowman’s Premier League debut prove Arsenal wonderkid’s elite talent
Max Dowman made history on Saturday as the second-youngest player ever to debut in the Premier League.
Dowman caught the eye throughout pre-season with a number of eye-catching performances and was given 27 minutes from the bench in Arsenal’s 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United on Saturday.
At just 15 years and 235 days old, Dowman is second only to teammate Ethan Nwaneri (15 years and 181 days) in the pantheon of youngest Premier League debutants.
But this wasn’t just a token cameo offered by Mikel Arteta. Instead, Dowman quickly set about proving exactly why there is so much hype around him.
Max Dowman makes dream Premier League debut
Dowman only touched the ball 16 times (FotMob) and completed just two passes during his time on the pitch at the Emirates — coming on with Arsenal 4-0 up — but he made every single moment count.
The Teenager attempted two shots, and although he missed the target with both, they were a clear indicator of his fearlessness and desire to make a difference.
That was also reflected in Dowman attempting four dribbles, completing one, which eventually resulted in him winning a penalty for Viktor Gyokeres‘ second strike of the match right at the end — breezing past Gabriel Gudmudsson and Antion Stach before going down under a challenge from the latter.
| Stats vs Leeds | Max Dowman |
| Minutes | 27 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Penalties won | 1 |
| Accurate passes | 2/2 |
| Touches (in opposition box) | 16 (5) |
| Successful dribbles | 1/4 |
| Ground duels won | 5/9 |
| Was fouled | 2 |
| Tackles won | 2/2 |
| Recoveries | 1 |
Five of Dowman’s 16 touches were in the opposition box, while the England youth international won five of his nine ground duels and chipped in defensively with two tackles — winning both of them — and a recovery.
Naturally at his age, there is plenty of work to do for Arsenal to mould potential into elite quality. But that potential is considerable, and Dowman looked in absolutely no way overawed by the Premier League stage.
Max Dowman impact unsurprising
Football Insider verdict
Nobody who watched Dowman in pre-season will be surprised by his impact against Leeds on Sunday, with the attacking midfielder looking hugely accomplished in friendlies against the likes of AC Milan, Newcastle and Villarreal.
Of course, to replicate that in a Premier League setting is a whole other level of impressive.
However, like those who took in the Gunners’ summer action, manager Mikel Arteta wasn’t shocked, speaking of his pride in Dowman and complimenting the family and club staff who have helped bring him to this point.
“Well, this is what we see every single day in training. And I think we just gathered information about how he handles certain situations in terms of training, being in the squad and not being selected afterwards in Manchester, coming on the bench and feeling ready,” Arteta said of Dowman after Saturday’s win (Football.London, 23 August).
“But again, a big compliment to his family. I think they’ve raised a kid with a level of maturity, stability and hunger that is very difficult to see. And obviously, to the academy. Credit to all the coaches involved in that journey. Because there is a kid here who has zero hesitation. He’s so convinced that he can go at 15 and deliver that, which I’ve never witnessed in my life. And for us, it brings joy, it brings emotion and something else that makes our jobs so great.”
Dowman will hope to take things to another level by getting a look-in during Arsenal’s early-season title clash away at Liverpool on Sunday.