Arteta praised the 15-year-old prodigy enthusiastically after his historic debut.

Young talent Max Dowman made an impressive Premier League debut by participating in Arsenal's 5-0 victory over Leeds at Emirates, demonstrating why coach Mikel Arteta regards him as one of the academy's precious gems.

The 15-year-old player caught attention during pre-season friendlies and was named on the bench for Arsenal’s first home game this season. Once brought on in the second half, Dowman immediately made a strong impact, energizing the atmosphere at Emirates.

During his time on the pitch, Dowman showed remarkable confidence. He constantly moved, skillfully controlled the ball, and repeatedly outmaneuvered Leeds’ experienced defenders as if it were instinct. His style led many to compare him to a “new Kaka.”

Not only did he leave a mark with his play, but Dowman also impressed with bold moves. He took two shots (though off target) and notably won a penalty after skillfully breaking into the box. Viktor Gyokeres successfully converted it, sealing Arsenal’s 5-0 win. This wasn’t Dowman’s first time showing such skill; in friendlies, he also won a decisive penalty against Newcastle.

After the match, Arteta told Sky Sports: “We needed to see how he would react and how his teammates would respond to him. It was clear as they kept passing to him. It’s fantastic to bring excitement to the stadium and for him to win a penalty on his debut at Emirates, it’s incredible.”

He emphasized the role of Dowman’s family and Arsenal’s academy in his development: “These kids aren’t overwhelmed even at 15 years old. That’s thanks to their upbringing and the excellent support from the academy.”

Dowman debuted at the age of 15 years and 235 days, just 54 days older than the youngest Premier League record holder Ethan Nwaneri. 54 days. If not for regulations, he might have debuted last season. According to rules, players must be in the U16 group to be registered for matches.

Still, this young talent had already caught Arteta’s eye. Last season, Dowman regularly trained with the first team and even joined the training camp in Dubai. Clearly, the Spanish coach had prepared for this debut a long time ago.

Dowman missed the season opener against MU as Arteta rested him after a busy schedule. Now, he has officially stepped onto the big stage, proving his talent with a performance that electrified the Emirates crowd.