Arsenal’s 15-year-old prodigy Max Dowman sent a significant record tumbling on Tuesday night when he became the youngest player ever to appear in the Champions League.
At 15 years and 308 days, the Gunners academy graduate came on in the 72nd minute with Arsenal leading 3-0 against Slavia Prague.
Dowman eclipsed the previous record held by Youssoufa Moukoko, who made his debut for Borussia Dortmund in 2019 at 16 years and 18 days.
Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal now trails in third, although he remains the youngest to start a Champions League match, a record he clinched at 16 years and 83 days against Porto in October 2023.
Arsenal were three goals up, thanks to a Bukayo Saka penalty and a brace from Mikel Merino, when Mikel Arteta turned to his bench, deeming the lead comfortable enough to give Dowman a valuable taste of experience in Europe’s elite competition.
Although the winger made just 16 touches in the 18 minutes he spent on the pitch, it’s another huge stepping stone in the burgeoning career of one of the hottest prospects in the country.
Arsenal’s 15-year-old prodigy Max Dowman became the youngest player ever to appear in the Champions League on Tuesday night – coming on in the 72nd minute against Slavia Prague
Dowman made his first-team debut for Arsenal in the 5-0 victory over Leeds in August and became the second-youngest player to appear for the north London side – after Ethan Nwaneri
The records have been falling thick and fast for Dowman, who turns 16 in December. He made his first-team debut for Arsenal in the 5-0 victory over Leeds in August and became the second-youngest player to appear for the north London side.
His team-mate Ethan Nwaneri holds the club and Premier League record, having made his first appearance aged 15 years, five months and 28 days in a match against Brentford in September 2022.
Last week, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he had to be careful how to use Dowman, who has been training with the first team since last year, although he admitted the youngster’s talent means he has to involve him whenever possible.
‘We really have to manage his load, he’s 15 years old, he’s still growing, it’s a lot of things that we have to make sure are under control to make sure that he develops in the way that he can do,’ he said.
‘If we look at his passport every day, we never play him, it’s as simple as that. But when you look at what he does in training, you have to play him, and if not, you are blind. So it’s finding that balance again and understanding, especially the load, the things that are changing in his life, and making sure when we throw him in there, he’s in the right context with the right players and he can cope with that.
‘So far, I think he’s done it, and he’s done it really well.’
Dowman has agreed to sign scholarship terms with Arsenal at the end of this season but cannot sign a professional deal until 31 December 2026, the day he turns 17.
That means he could leave the club at that stage, although Arteta has recently said he is confident the youngster will stay.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he had to be careful how to use Dowman, who has been training with the first team since last year – although admitted he is desperate to deploy his talents
‘I don’t think about those things because everything that I hear from the player and the family has been very positive,’ he said.
‘The feeling that I have is that, genuinely, he loves it here. He is a huge Arsenal supporter and his family are really happy with the way things are developing around him as well. Hopefully, for many years, he will be with us.’
Arsenal have seen several promising academy stars depart in recent years, and the club’s hierarchy are now determined to prove to emerging talents that a clear pathway to the first team exists – especially after this summer’s exodus.
The most painful loss was that of Chido Obi-Martin, who left for Manchester United shortly after turning 16, despite Arsenal’s best efforts to keep him. Having shattered multiple youth records before his departure, his exit served as a wake-up call – one the Gunners are clearly keen not to experience again.
