Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal's most brilliant prodigy without reservation

Coach Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on the performance of young talent Max Dowman.

Arsenal not only maintained their impressive form in the Champions League but also witnessed a historic moment marked by 15-year-old rising star Max Dowman. In last night's 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague, Dowman became the youngest player ever to appear in the Champions League at 15 years and 308 days, breaking Youssoufa Moukoko’s five-year-old record of 16 years and 18 days set with Borussia Dortmund.

Substituted on by coach Mikel Arteta in the second half for Leandro Trossard, Dowman played on the right flank, causing Bukayo Saka to shift to the opposite wing. Although he only appeared briefly, the 2009-born player made a mark with his confidence, clever ball control, and tactical awareness beyond his years.

After the match, Coach Arteta could not hide his pride: “The way Max plays is truly exceptional. He’s very intelligent, knows the right moments to act, and consistently makes opponents wary. We have a giant on our hands, both figuratively and literally,” Arteta emphasized.

Dowman is an outstanding product of the Hale End academy, which has produced stars like Saka, Smith Rowe, and Nketiah. This past summer, Dowman impressed greatly during preseason and was quickly promoted to the first team. The 15-year-old talent is regarded as Arsenal’s next “precious gem,” known for his smooth technique, ability to maneuver in tight spaces, and modern tactical thinking.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, commenting on TNT Sports, suggested Dowman’s debut could represent “the future image” of the Gunners’ attack: “If you watch how the boy moves and links up with teammates, you see huge potential. Arteta is clearly building a new generation, and Dowman could very well be at the heart of it in the coming years.”

Notably, just a week earlier, Dowman set another record as the youngest player to start a match in Arsenal’s history when he was in the starting lineup against Brighton in the Carabao Cup. These consecutive milestones demonstrate the absolute trust Arteta places in this 2009-born talent.

The 3-0 win over Slavia Prague not only secured Arsenal’s top spot in the Champions League group with a perfect record but also opened an exciting new chapter for the club.