Arsenal’s top prodigy delivers the best possible news

The 15-year-old sensation Max Dowman has demonstrated his dedication to Arsenal’s future after accepting the club’s scholarship agreement.

Arsenal is making a significant move in securing their “precious gem” Max Dowman, as the 15-year-old talent has accepted scholarship terms, paving the way for his first professional contract in 2026.

Dowman is currently regarded as one of the most promising teenage footballers worldwide. He gained major attention after being included in Arsenal’s first team by coach Mikel Arteta and making his Premier League debut against Leeds United last August.

At 15 years and 235 days old, Dowman became the second youngest player in Arsenal’s history to appear in England’s top league, just behind teammate Ethan Nwaneri, who set the record in 2022 at 15 years and 181 days.

According to plans, Dowman will officially move from a schoolboy player to a scholarship player upon turning 16 on December 31. This agreement will take effect from the 2025–2026 season and last for two years. Upon reaching 17 in December 2026, Arsenal will promptly proceed to sign a professional contract to secure the young talent’s long-term future.

Recently, Dowman has attracted special interest from many major clubs in England and Europe, ready to offer huge deals to persuade him to leave London. However, the young star and his father, who directly negotiates, have only one desire: to stay with the club of his childhood.

Born in 2009, the player participated in all three of Arsenal’s friendlies during their Singapore summer tour and has appeared three times for the first team this season. Simultaneously, Dowman continues to shine with impressive performances for the U19 and U21 squads. Notably, he debuted for Arsenal’s U18 team at just 13, a rare milestone in the academy’s history.

Beyond club level, Dowman is also making his mark internationally. In his first appearance for England’s U19 team earlier this month, he scored on debut against Wales. England U21 coach Lee Carsley is reportedly closely monitoring his progress.

Speaking about his young player, coach Mikel Arteta said: “Max is entering a completely new phase in his life. We need to adjust everything from his education, sleep, nutrition, to training load to ensure sustainable development. He requires time to adapt to increasing pressure and attention.”