Overview
- Dowman, aged 15 years and 302 days, started the 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Brighton, led the match in completed dribbles, fouls won and duels won, and departed to a standing ovation after roughly 70 minutes.
- Mikel Arteta praised the winger’s composure and called him a “special” player, stressing careful step-by-step management and safeguarding at this stage of his rise.
- The teenager has signed scholarship terms with Arsenal, with a professional contract planned when he is eligible at 17 under FA and FIFA rules.
- Pundits including Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer lauded Dowman’s talent, while Micah Richards voiced concern over future minutes given competition with Bukayo Saka and floated a loan as a later-stage consideration.
- Arsenal’s academy impact extended beyond Dowman as 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous also started and goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Saka booked a quarter-final tie against Crystal Palace in December.