Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman has become the youngest player ever to score in a UEFA Youth League game.
Dowman – aged 14 years, eight months and 19 days – scored Arsenal Under-18s’ only goal in a 4-1 defeat to their Atalanta counterparts to become the competition’s youngest goalscorer since its inception in 2013.
Born on 31 December 2009, Bowman made his debut for Arsenal U18s in September 2023, aged 13.
He made seven domestic youth league appearances last season, including a game against Fulham in which he provided four assists.
The attacking midfielder has been a regular fixture for Jack Wilshere’s side this season despite being significantly younger than his team-mates.
He made his debut for the England Under-17s in September and scored in a 5–0 win over Mexico.
Wilshere told club media in March: “It’s always a concern when you feature such a young player in these matches, but if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
“He (Dowman) may be more consistent but he’s only 14 and hasn’t even started his GCSEs yet. We have to find a balance of letting him play and enjoy because of his age but also try to get him in as much as possible.”
Fellow teenage midfielder Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest ever Premier League player after making his debut for Arsenal aged 15 during the 2022-23 campaign.
The now 17-year-old has made three first-team appearances for the club since then, including coming on as a late substitute in his side’s north London derby win on Sunday.
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“Remarkably talented prospect”
Analysis by Arsenal correspondent Amy Lawrence
Max Dowman is a remarkably talented prospect within Arsenal’s youth system. He is on an accelerated path for both club and country, often playing several years above his own age group for both.
Dowman has a well-developed physique and size that allows him to express himself in more advanced football circles, but his natural technique and vision are his greatest assets.
He dribbles and outruns opponents, and has an extraordinary range of final passing and finishing at his disposal.
Arsenal are keen to move on and nurture him in equal measure.
(David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
