Arteta Hails Dowman Rise With Messi Comparison After Arsenal Breakthrough
Mikel Arteta has placed Max Dowman in rare company after likening the Arsenal teenager’s early impact to Lionel Messi’s emergence at Barcelona, following a remarkable breakthrough season for the 16-year-old.
Dowman burst into senior contention in August when he made his Arsenal debut during a 5-0 Premier League win over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium. Introduced in the second half, he became the club’s second-youngest debutant at 15 years and 235 days and immediately announced himself by winning a penalty in a fearless cameo.
That appearance set the tone for a rapid rise. Dowman’s confidence on the ball, willingness to take responsibility, and ability to influence the tempo stood out, with senior teammates repeatedly trusting him in possession during a dominant Arsenal performance.
The significance of Dowman’s emergence has only grown in recent months. He has since become the youngest player to feature in the Champions League this season and has now agreed a pre-contract that will see him sign his first professional deal when he turns 17 in December, underlining Arsenal’s belief in his long-term future.
The setting for Dowman’s ascent has been one of expectation and excitement. The Emirates crowd responded instantly to his introduction against Leeds, with the teenager injecting energy and unpredictability into Arsenal’s attack. Operating between the lines, he looked comfortable receiving under pressure and driving directly at defenders, a trait rarely seen at such a young age.
Key moments quickly followed. On his Premier League debut, his direct running forced a defensive error and earned Arsenal a penalty. In Europe, his first touches in the Champions League were equally assertive, drawing fouls and disrupting opposition structure as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague.
Dowman’s goals may still be to come, but his influence has already been felt through intelligent dribbling, sharp decision-making, and an instinctive understanding of space. Each appearance has reinforced the sense that Arsenal are handling a player with uncommon maturity and personality.
The second half of the season has brought added responsibility, along with careful management. While injury will rule him out of the upcoming trip to Leeds at Elland Road, his development remains central to Arsenal’s long-term planning, with Arteta and the academy staff closely controlling his minutes and exposure.
It was ahead of that Leeds fixture that Arteta delivered his strongest praise yet, reflecting on Dowman’s composure and charisma by referencing Messi’s early days at Barcelona. Arteta, who was at the Catalan club during Messi’s arrival, highlighted Dowman’s ability to remain unaffected by stadiums, opponents, or occasion, a quality he considers exceptionally rare at 15.
For Arsenal, the message is clear. Dowman’s record-breaking rise is not being treated as a novelty but as the foundation of a carefully built career. With a professional contract secured and a clear pathway already proven by academy graduates before him, the teenager now stands at the beginning of what the club believes could be something special.