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Arsenal has promoted teenage star to the first team for next season

Originally posted on Just Arsenal | By Admin Martin | Last updated May 20, 2025 6:00 PM ET

Since the beginning of this season, Max Dowman has been on the verge of breaking into the Arsenal first team. However, existing league regulations have prevented the club from fielding him in competitive fixtures, despite his impressive progress.

Although Mikel Arteta has faced criticism in the past for not providing enough opportunities to academy graduates, he has shown considerable commitment to youth development this term. Players such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have both been given the chance to feature, a decision that has been widely praised as a positive step towards integrating homegrown talent into the senior setup.

A Young Talent Ready to Take the Next Step

At just 15 years of age, Dowman has already been training with Arsenal’s senior squad, reportedly performing well against some of the club’s most experienced players. His development has drawn attention, with many observers suggesting he may eventually surpass previous academy graduates in terms of impact and potential.

Despite his evident readiness, Dowman was only 14 when the season commenced, meaning he was ineligible to appear in competitive matches under current regulations. This restriction has frustrated both the club and supporters, especially given the talent he has shown on the training ground.

However, this situation is set to change. As reported by Mirror Football, Arsenal have now promoted Dowman to the first-team squad for the upcoming season. According to the report, Mikel Arteta has informed the young attacker that he will be part of the senior setup from next term.

Arsenal’s Commitment to Youth Development Continues

This decision represents another step in Arteta’s ongoing effort to integrate promising young players into the first team. By giving Dowman this opportunity, Arsenal are not only reinforcing their belief in his abilities but also demonstrating a broader commitment to developing internal talent as a key part of their strategy.

Dowman’s time now appears to have arrived. With his official promotion confirmed, expectations are high that he will soon make his debut and begin to showcase the ability that has generated so much excitement. Supporters will no doubt be eager to see how he adapts to first-team football, and there is genuine anticipation surrounding what could be a breakthrough season for one of the club’s brightest prospects.

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This article first appeared on Just Arsenal and was syndicated with permission.

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