Teenage sensation Max Dowman made history by becoming Arsenal‘s youngest starter ever during the club’s Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Brighton on Wednesday.
At just 15 years and 302 days, Dowman surpasses the previous record held by goalkeeper Jack Porter, who was 16 years and 72 days when he started against Brighton in the Carabao Cup last season.
This season, Dowman had already made an impact by becoming the second-youngest player in Arsenal’s and the Premier League history when he debuted as a substitute against Leeds United. The record for the youngest player remains with Ethan Nwaneri, who came on against Brentford in September 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
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Dowman played 71 minutes at the Emirates Stadium before being substituted for Bukayo Saka, who netted Arsenal’s second goal in a 2-0 victory that secured a spot in the quarterfinals.
“He had a tiny smile when I informed him he was starting,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “That’s just how he is.”
“For him, everything feels natural. He plays with courage and determination, and today he displayed remarkable skills, running past Premier League players at just 15. That’s something truly special.”
The match against Brighton marked Dowman’s fourth senior appearance as Arteta navigates the balance between nurturing a young talent and giving him opportunities after a series of impressive performances during preseason in Singapore and Hong Kong.
“Of course, he wants to play in the Premier League. That’s something we need to manage. There are many new aspects in his life, and we have to ensure he takes the right steps,” Arteta explained. “We need to protect him while also encouraging him.”
Last week, ESPN reported that Dowman had agreed to a scholarship deal that will take effect when he turns 16 on December 31.
According to FIFA rules, players cannot sign professional contracts until they are 17, leaving Arsenal in a race to secure a promising player who has garnered interest from clubs across Europe.
However, sources told ESPN that the lifelong Arsenal supporter sees his future with the club, and Arteta downplayed the possibility of the talented playmaker moving to another team before the match.
Information from ESPN’s James Olley contributed to this report.