• An unforgettable afternoon at Selhurst Park

  The 2025-2026 campaign will forever be remembered in Arsenal’s annals, with Dowman providing a memorable climax by setting a new milestone.

  Stepping onto the pitch from the first whistle against Crystal Palace, at precisely 16 years and 144 days old, Dowman officially became the youngest ever footballer to commence a Premier League match. This remarkable achievement was made even more special as the Arsenal squad received a guard of honor upon their arrival at Selhurst Park, celebrating their recent championship.

  Dowman’s stunning debut start eclipses the previous record held by Jose Baxter, who was 16 years and 198 days old when he first started for Everton back in 2008.

  An exceptional talent nurtured within Arsenal’s academy, Dowman’s ascent under manager Mikel Arteta has been nothing short of meteoric, proving that age is merely a number as he seamlessly integrated with the senior squad to partake in their title triumph.

  
  

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• A season of shattered records

  His historic starting appearance against Crystal Palace marks the pinnacle of a season filled with groundbreaking achievements for the young phenom. In August 2025, Dowman had already made headlines by becoming the youngest player to ever feature in a Premier League match, at an astonishing 15 years and 235 days old. He then showcased his prodigious talent on the European stage in November, setting another record as the youngest participant in the Champions League at 15 years and 308 days.

  This past March, the burgeoning star further cemented his legendary status by scoring a remarkable goal against Everton, making him the youngest Premier League goalscorer at 16 years and 73 days.

  With five senior league appearances now under his belt, Dowman is officially an English champion, concluding a debut professional season that most 16-year-olds can only ever imagine.

• Tuchel’s national team considerations

  Despite his stellar club performances, the 16-year-old sensation does not currently feature in Thomas Tuchel’s immediate plans for the senior England national team. While many advocated for his rapid inclusion in the Three Lions squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the national team manager instead opted to call up Dowman’s Arsenal teammate, Ethan Nwaneri, for the senior preparation camp in Miami.

  The German coach elaborated on his selection strategy, stating: « We will bring along a few promising young players who will train with us within a squad tailored to our specific requirements, and we have two friendly matches scheduled to carefully manage player game time and overall workload. »

• The future of the Gunners is bright

  The spotlight on Max Dowman is only expected to intensify as he prepares for a well-deserved summer break. While the young Gunner will not participate in England’s experimental senior tour, his role as a foundational pillar for Arsenal’s future is undeniably secure.

  Alongside Nwaneri, this 16-year-old is part of an elite cohort of homegrown talents poised to play pivotal roles in maintaining Arsenal’s position at the pinnacle of English football. For now, he can relish a truly historic Sunday, which firmly establishes his place within Premier League legend.

By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent