Overview

• Dowman, 15, became Arsenal’s second-youngest Premier League player and won a stoppage-time penalty in a 5-0 win over Leeds.
• Theo Walcott likened Dowman’s stop–start dribbling to Lionel Messi’s, while Rio Ferdinand praised his composure and mentality, and Wayne Rooney called the cameo “refreshing.”
• Match data cited in reports credited Dowman with five ground duels won and a 100% tackle success rate (2/2) on debut.
• Arsenal now hold the two youngest Premier League debutant marks through Ethan Nwaneri and Dowman, underscoring a deliberate pathway for academy talent.
• ESPN reports Arsenal have approached Bayer Leverkusen for centre-back Piero Hincapié, who has an estimated €60m clause, with any deal complicated by Leverkusen’s stance and Arsenal’s need to raise funds through sales such as the proposed Jakub Kiwior move.