Max Dowman aiming for further chances with Arsenal U18s

Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have gained much prominence having often impressed playing above their age group.

There is another young midfielder in the Arsenal academy setup who could soon follow suit in Max Dowman.

Earlier in the season Dowman made an unexpectedly early foray into U18s football as he made his debut at that level against Southampton when he was just 13 years old.

Dowman also featured against Middlesbrough in the Premier League Cup and the prospect, who is now 14, could be set for further involvement with the U18s before the end of the campaign.

The youngster recently featured for England U16s as they won the Football Federations Cup, again playing above his age group.

Capable of operating as an attacking midfielder or deeper in midfield, Dowman possesses excellent close control as well as impressive strength for his age, while his passing ability is of a high standard.

Arsenal have been eager not to rush Dowman’s development but will give him chances to impress at higher levels when the opportunity arises. With some of the older players in the U18s having recently been told that they will be leaving the club, a space could open up for Dowman to become more heavily involved.

Such is his rate of progression, it’s not impossible that Dowman could feature for Arsenal U21s at some stage next season when he will still technically be an U15 player.

Although they didn’t play for the U21s until they were U16 players, Arsenal took a similar step with Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly by giving them chances with the U18s intermittently before eventually allowing them to become regulars at that level.

Arsenal will be eager not to rush Dowman, but he is a very good prospect and will be looking to play more regularly for the U18s soon.

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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird