Mikel Arteta hails ‘special’ Max Dowman after 15-year-old makes historic Arsenal start

LONDON – Mikel Arteta hailed Max Dowman’s “special” performance after the 15-year-old prodigy became Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter in the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup fourth round on Oct 29.

Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka scored in the second half at the Emirates Stadium as English Premier League leaders Arsenal earned a quarter-final home meeting against Crystal Palace.

But it was Dowman, at 15 years and 302 days, who stole the show with a dazzling display that climaxed when he was given a standing ovation after coming off in the second half.

The young winger made the most dribbles and won the most fouls and duels as Arsenal registered their eighth straight victory in all competitions.

Gunners boss Arteta was delighted with Dowman’s composed performance, which belied his tender years, even if his shy response to being picked was more in keeping with someone still of school age.

“A tiny smile, that’s what you get with him,” said Arteta when asked how Dowman reacted when he told him he was starting.

“For him everything is natural, for him everything is OK. It’s the way he plays and that’s the secret, that he doesn’t make a big fuss of it.

“He just does what he does best, which is to play football. To play football with a lot of courage and determination and today again, he has shown some incredible skill, some capacity to run past players at that level in the Premier League at 15. It’s definitely something special.”

Dowman, who has been at the club since 2015, broke Jack Porter’s record for being the youngest starter.

Goalkeeper Porter started in the League Cup in 2024 when he was 16 years and 72 days old.

Dowman had made his senior debut off the bench earlier this season – in the league matches against Leeds United and Liverpool, and in the last round of the League Cup at Port Vale.

Having got a taste of starting, Arteta expects Dowman to be pushing for more regular action.

“For sure, if you ask him. That’s what we have to manage and not only that, there’s a lot of things that are new in his life,” he said.

“We have to make sure that he takes the right steps and he needs to be able to cope with it, too, because it’s happening very, very fast and we all need to be aware of that.

“Let’s encourage him to keep going that way, but let’s protect him as well.”

Forward Andre Harriman-Annous, 17, also made his full debut as Arteta made 10 changes in the starting line-up from the 1-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Oct 26.

“That feeling of giving the opportunity to somebody and fulfilling a dream is unique, and I’m very happy that things turned out to be very positive,” Arteta added.

Arsenal will play Palace in the quarter-finals after the Eagles knocked out Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield.

Third-tier Cardiff City, the only non-Premier League team to make the last eight, will host Chelsea, who saw off Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 on Oct 29.

Holders Newcastle United are at home to Fulham and Manchester City, who have hoisted the League Cup eight times, host Brentford. Newcastle booked their spot with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, while City saw off second-tier Swansea City 3-1.

The last-eight games will take place on the week of Dec 15. AFP, REUTERS