Arsenal academy coach Gustavo Oliveira has tipped 14-year-old Gunners wonderkid Max Dowman to play for England, comparing him to former Ballon d'Or winner Kaká.
An Arsenal The academy coach has praised the 14-year-old Gunners wonderkid Max DowmanCompares him to the former Ballon d'Or winner Cuckoo Back him to pull on the England shirt one day.
Born on New Year's Day 2009 – three years after Arsenal moved to the Emirates Stadium – Dowman is already regarded as the latest gem to emerge from the club's illustrious Hale End academy ranks.
Despite his young age, Dowman has been promoted to the under-18 ranks for the 2023-24 season, where he will work under the wing of the former Arsenal midfielder and current youth coach. Jack Wilshere.
Further down the academy rankings, Gustavo Oliveira He works as an assistant coach for Arsenal's preparations from under-9s to under-14s, the Brazilian said in an interview. PL Brazil Dowman has a bit of a cockiness about him.
“He plays in Kaka's style. You can write his name. One day, he will play in England and the Premier League,” Oliveira told the publication.
Dowman was compared to Kaká after breaking the continental record
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The 14-year-old – who primarily plays at number 10 but is also comfortable in a deeper midfield role and on the wing – scored two goals and provided five assists in seven Under-18 Premier League games last season. History was made in 2024-25.
Tauman started and scored in a 4–1 win over Atlanta BC in the UEFA Youth League in September. He became the youngest player to score in the tournament as he broke off Yusuba Maukogofeat of
Dowman has scored two goals and provided two assists in five Under-18 Premier League appearances in the current campaign, netting a double in a 3-2 comeback win over Birmingham City on 5 October.
On the day, Arsenal's under-18s went 2-0 down in the first 30 minutes before Dowman pulled one back on the stroke of half-time to seal a dramatic 97th-minute winner.
Dowman scored on his debut in an England under-17 international Neil RyanA penalty to break the deadlock in a 5–0 friendly win over Mexico on 4 September.
What Wilshere has to say about Arsenal's 'new Kaka'?
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Speaking in April, Wilshere – who followed a similar path in north London when Towman began making waves at the Under-18s – insisted that a player's age doesn't matter if they show their qualities on the pitch.
“There's always a concern when you field a young player in these tournaments, but if you're good, you're old enough,” Wilshere said. “He is still only 14 years old. He hasn't started his GCSEs yet. We have to find a balance to let him play and enjoy because of his age, but try to do as much work as we can. “
Arsenal have always prided themselves on developing tomorrow's stars, which is especially important when it comes to philosophy. Arsene Wenger Reigned when cash was scarce following his move to the Emirates.
Since the Frenchman's departure, Arsenal have been bleeding Bugayo Saka A huge impact on the first team from the academy, meanwhile Emil Smith Rowe, Eddie Nkedia And Reyes Nelson Now there are also Premier League-proven performers.
Seen in the summer of 2024 Michael Arteta Losing a few young protégés, including Manchester United Sydow Obi Martin – But Ethan Navaneri And Miles Lewis-Skelley Two recent Hale End stars to become full-fledged first-team members.
The former still holds the record for being the youngest ever player in the Premier League when he came off the bench against Brentford in September 2022, 15 years and 181 days later.
