Arsenal supporters have seized on a subtle yet telling development ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League opener at Manchester United as a sign that Max Dowman is in serious contention for the first-team squad. The 15-year-old midfield prodigy was conspicuously absent from the Under-21s squad for their Premier League 2 fixture—leading many fans to interpret it as a deliberate hint from the club that he might feature against United.
The general sentiment among the Gooner faithful is summed up in a flurry of posts on social media platform X. One fan speculated, “No Max Dowman with the U21s. Looks like he’s in contention to make the PL squad against Manchester United.” Another was even more confident: **“This is a clear sign Dowman will be on bench for the first team.”**
This kind of reaction isn’t coming out of the blue. After a stunning pre-season where Dowman featured for Arsenal’s first team—particularly during their trip to Singapore where he wowed with mazy dribbles and creativity—the youngster’s rise has accelerated. He even made a cameo in Arsenal’s friendly against AC Milan in July and followed it up with another impressive off-the-bench performance versus Newcastle.
Adding to the buzz, pundits and former players have sung his praises. BBC Sport’s Danny Murphy labeled him “a superstar,” while former England internationals Michael Owen and Tim Sherwood predicted he’d be the breakout star of the 2025/26 season. Even Arsenal legend Ray Parlour went as far as to liken Dowman to Phil Foden.
Dowman’s pedigree speaks for itself. Having debuted for the U-18s at just 13, he became the youngest-ever goalscorer in the UEFA Youth League, then soon after claimed the record as Arsenal’s youngest-ever player in Premier League 2. His upward trajectory continued with first-team training involvement in late 2024 and pre-season appearances in 2025.
It’s worth noting that due to age restrictions, Dowman is not eligible to appear in Premier League matches until he turns 16, which happens at the end of December. So while Arsenal fans may be hoping for his inclusion at Old Trafford, official match-day action may still be out of reach this season.
Still, being left out of the U-21s squad does feel significant. For many fans, it’s a not-so-subtle move by Mikel Arteta’s staff—something that signals readiness and intent. One fan simply put it: **“He’s clearly a first-team player now. Arteta rates him.”**
All told, whether Dowman actually makes the bench against United remains to be seen. But what’s undeniable is that his rapid rise, coupled with the club’s treatment of him, has Arsenal fans convinced: a new chapter might just be beginning for one of Hale End’s brightest talents.
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