Mikel Arteta Hails 'Special' Max Dowman After Historic Arsenal Start
Mikel Arteta praises Max Dowman's 'special' performance after the 15-year-old becomes Arsenal's youngest-ever starter in the League Cup win over Brighton.
"He just does what he does best, which is to play football. To play football with a lot of courage and determination...”
Mikel Arteta praised Max Dowman's “special” performance after the 15-year-old became Arsenal's youngest-ever starter in their 2-0 League Cup fourth-round win over Brighton. Dowman, who was given a standing ovation when substituted, showed incredible skill and determination on the pitch.
Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka scored in the second half at the Emirates Stadium, securing Arsenal's spot in the quarterfinals, where they'll host Crystal Palace. Arteta's decision to start Dowman paid off, as the youngster delivered a composed and confident display.
Mikel Arteta was delighted with Dowman's performance, saying, “He just does what he does best, which is to play football with a lot of courage and determination.” The manager also praised Dowman's humility, noting that he doesn't make a big fuss about his performances.
With this win, Arsenal advances to the quarterfinals of the League Cup, where they'll face Crystal Palace at home. Dowman's impressive display has earned him a spot in the spotlight, and Arteta expects him to push for more regular action in the future.
The real showstopper for Arsenal was 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri didn't steal the show it was Dowman, who dazzled despite being just shy of his 16th birthday. He earned a standing ovation when substituted in the second half, a testament to his impressive display.
Arteta praised Dowman's composed performance, which belied his young age. The teenager's humility was evident in his response when singled out for praise, showcasing a down-to-earth demeanor that suggests he's still grounded despite his rising talent.
“A tiny smile, that's what you get with him,” said Arteta when asked how Dowman reacted when he told him he was starting.
“For him everything is natural, for him everything is OK. It's the way he plays and that's the secret, that he doesn't make a big fuss of it.
“He just does what he does best, which is to play football. To play football with a lot of courage and determination and today again, he has shown some incredible skill, some capacity to run past players at that level in the Premier League at 15. It's definitely something special.”
"Incredible skill, something very special"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 30, 2025
Mikel Arteta praises 15-year-old Max Dowman, who became Arsenal's youngest starter in all competitions 🌟 pic.twitter.com/d0hZkFsKcY
Max Dowman has been making waves with his impressive performances, including cameo appearances in the league against Leeds and Liverpool, as well as in the previous round of the League Cup at Port Vale. Now, with his first start under his belt, Mikel Arteta believes Dowman will likely be pushing for more regular playing time.
The 15-year-old's rise has been swift, and Arteta seems confident that he'll continue to impress. “For sure, if you ask him,” Arteta said, implying that Dowman would be eager for more starts. Given his talent and determination, it's likely Dowman will become a regular fixture in Arsenal's lineup.
“That's what we have to manage and not only that, there's a lot of things that are new in his life,” he said.
“We have to make sure that he takes the right steps and he needs be able to cope with it, too, because it's happening very, very fast and we all need to be aware of that.
“Let's encourage him to keep going that way, but let's protect him as well.«
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