‘Superstar’ Dowman shows his class – but Arsenal know caution is needed

'Superstar' Dowman shows his class – but Arsenal know caution is needed. Related topicsArsenalFootballPremier LeagueDowman becomes youngest Premier League title winnerPublished20 MayHow Arsenal are supporting teenage superstar DowmanPublished5 November 2025More on this storyLatest Arsenal news, analysis and fan viewsAsk about Arsenal – what do you want to know?

What happened

Max Dowman shines with two goals against Ipswich Town – but boss Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal cannot rush his development. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Max Dowman is the third 16-year-old to score for Arsenal in a League Cup gameByEmlyn BegleyBBC Sport journalistPublished6 hours agoArsenal teenager Max Dowman shone with two goals in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Ipswich Town – but boss Mikel Arteta warned they cannot rush his development. Breaking into the Arsenal first team will be a tough task for Dowman especially when the Premier League champions are in such fine form.

And for his second goal, Dowman showed good composure to place the ball in the bottom corner. "Wonderkid had to waitPerhaps Dowman might have expected to have more minutes this season. He became the youngest Champions League player ever, aged 15, Arsenal's youngest ever starter as well as the Premier League's youngest starter, goalscorer and title winner. In fact his strike, where he ran the ball halfway down the pitch before scoring into an empty net – with Jordan Pickford upfield – was voted Arsenal's goal of the season.

The wider picture

Arsenal have won all seven games this season, across four competitions. Dowman was an unused substitute in four of those games, and not involved for the other two, before playing all 90 minutes against Ipswich Town. But Dowman, especially considering Arteta turned to him in key moments in last season's title race, will hope to gain more of a supporting role. "He is a real superstar," said former England defender Conor Coady on Sky Sports. That will probably deny him the opportunity to break up the stat that the three youngest players to score in the League Cup for a Premier League side all did so for Arsenal.

They are Cesc Fabregas (16y 212d v Wolves, 2003), Dowman (16y 258d v Ipswich) and Jack Wilshere (16y 266d v Sheffield United, 2008). The 16-year-old played 13 times last season, but has had to settle for a place on the bench so far this campaign – until now. He scored two lovely goals at Portman Road to stake his claim for more minutes in the Premier League.

What has been reported

But Arteta warned: "He is 16 years old and we have to be really cautious. "We don't want to stop him, we don't want to put the brakes on him, we need to develop him and we are fully aware what he needs. "His first was a fine solo goal as he ran through, leaving defenders on the floor before slotting in. "Unbelievable, he's unpredictable, he can go either way, so fluid, so nice to watch," said Arteta.

He is just the second 16-year-old to score two goals in a game for a Premier League side in any competition, after Wayne Rooney for Everton against Wrexham in 2002 – which was also in the League Cup. "With the demands that we put in them, to be able to do that is extremely difficult and he's coping better and better and better," Arteta added. "He's an unbelievable player because of the character that he has and how much he loves to play at the biggest stage.

"It's not easy [to contain the hype], I understand, but what we have to do is look after him.

What happens next

"In other leagues in Europe, that's a totally different context, but in this league, with the demands that the league has, the players and everything put on you, we really need to make sure every time we throw him in, he's in the right context with the right preparation. His breakthrough came last season as he broke several records. In 13 appearances in all competitions, he scored once – against Everton to make a win safe during the title run-in.

And all of this while he was studying for school exams. He received his GCSEs from Brentwood School in the summer and left school to focus on his football career. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said: "He is a wonderful player who will be able to do everything in the game. "But just give him time and how they are handling him is perfect.