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Why Mikel Arteta is right about Max Dowman

Mikel Arteta has faced some pushback on his recent comments about Max Dowman, but the Arsenal manager was right to suggest that what the 16-year-old is doing is unique.

Published: Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 10:16 AM
Why Mikel Arteta is right about Max Dowman
Key Things to Know
  • Dan Critchlow argues that Mikel Arteta is correct in claiming 16-year-old Max Dowman's breakthrough is truly unique.
  • Dowman has already played 17 senior matches across all competitions, including four appearances in the Champions League.
  • Wayne Rooney made his Everton debut at the exact age Dowman reached 17 senior Arsenal appearances.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Dan Critchlow defends Mikel Arteta's claim that Arsenal's 16-year-old talent Max Dowman is in a unique position in English football. While social media critics compared Dowman to Wayne Rooney and Aaron Lennon breaking through at 16, Critchlow argues Arteta's assessment is accurate due to Dowman's high volume of top-level appearances across multiple competitions.

Critchlow highlights that Dowman has already featured 17 times for Arsenal, including four Champions League appearances, compared to zero European games for Rooney and Lennon at the same age. With months before turning 17, Dowman needs only three more Premier League appearances to surpass Lennon's historical record for games played before age 17.

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