Arsenal Wonderkid Could Break Jude Bellingham’s England Record

Arsenal youngster Max Dowman has received his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad at 16 years old. Selected by manager Lee Carsley, Dowman is in line to feature in upcoming friendlies against Portugal and France at Ashton Gate Stadium in November 2026. If he appears in either match, he will become the youngest player to represent England at Under-21 level, breaking the record set by Jude Bellingham at age 17 in 2020.

Dowman joins fellow Arsenal prospects Ethan Nwaneri and Tommy Setford in the national squad. The milestone provides a positive boost for the Hale End academy product following a recent red card during Arsenal's Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood, which had drawn public scrutiny from manager Mikel Arteta.