Key Takeaways
- Max Dowman, just 15, has emerged as Arsenal’s next big talent after standout pre-season showings.
- Perry Groves compared Dowman to Lionel Messi in style, praising his balance, technique, and vision.
- Groves and Arteta agree that Arsenal must nurture Dowman carefully, drawing inspiration from Jude Bellingham’s early development.
Teen Sensation Wins Praise from Perry Groves and Mikel Arteta
Arsenal’s latest academy prodigy Max Dowman has turned heads across the football world following a sensational pre-season campaign at just 15 years old. Making his senior debut against AC Milan and then delivering a dazzling substitute appearance against Newcastle—winning a penalty in a 3-2 victory—Dowman has already become one of the club’s most talked-about prospects.
Clips of Dowman’s composed, left-footed brilliance have gone viral, sparking comparisons to none other than Lionel Messi. Among those singing his praises is former Arsenal winger Perry Groves, who revealed that watching the teenager “took his breath away.”
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“A Scary Talent” — Groves Sees Superstar Potential
Speaking on talkSPORT, Groves recalled first seeing Dowman play for Arsenal’s U18s as a 13-year-old. “He was playing against lads three years older and dominating,” Groves said. “He has this natural balance, he’s graceful on the ball, and he’s always scanning—what I call an ‘owl’s head.’”
Groves even likened Dowman’s stop-start dribbling style to Messi’s, emphasizing that while he’s not claiming Dowman will reach that legendary level, the resemblance in playstyle is striking. “He’s a scary talent, and Arsenal will nurture him right—just like they did with Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri.”
Calls to Follow Bellingham Blueprint
Groves believes Arsenal must be strategic with Dowman’s development, urging the club to take a cue from how Birmingham City handled Jude Bellingham’s rise. “They didn’t loan him out—they played him in the Championship, protected him physically, and gave him time to grow,” Groves said. He suggests that Dowman, like Bellingham, should be eased into wider positions before eventually moving centrally.
Crucially, Groves insists that Dowman is already too good for a loan and needs careful, hands-on development within Arsenal’s structure.
Arteta: “Not Common to Witness”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta echoed the excitement after Dowman’s dazzling cameo against Newcastle. “What he did today against a Premier League side is not common for a 15-year-old,” Arteta stated. “We’re extremely happy to have him and credit goes to the academy, his family, and everyone involved.”
Arteta’s words signal that the club sees a long-term future for Dowman in the first team, provided his physical and mental development continue on the right track.
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