Arsenal teenage midfielder Max Dowman made club history on Wednesday night, becoming the youngest ever starter for the Gunners at just 15 years and 302 days old in they’re EFL Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Manager Mikel Arteta gave the youngster his first start at the Emirates Stadium, breaking the record that was previous hold by Jack Porter, who started for Arsenal at 16 years and 72 days in a League Cup game versus Bolton.
Dowman’s inclusion mark another step in his incredible rise, having already made four first team appearances this season. He first caught headlines back in August when he made his Premier League debut against Leeds at only 15 years and 235 days old.
While Dowman is now the youngest player to start a game for Arsenal, the record for the club’s youngest ever appearance still belong to Ethan Nwaneri. Nwaneri became the Premier League’s first 15-year-old in 2022, debuting at 15 years and 181 days old against Brentford.
Dowman also surpass former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who had started at 16 years and 177 days against Rotherham in 2003 — a sign of how quick the club’s latest prodigy is progressing.
Arsenal sees Dowman as one of their brightest prospect, with Arteta keen to integrate him slowly into the first team. His early breakthrough adds to the club’s growing reputation for bringing through young talent, following the path of Fabregas, Bukayo Saka and now Dowman hisself.