John Halls worked with Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and the ‘Invincibles’ at Arsenal, with the Gunners academy graduate telling GOAL of the “mindset” required to succeed in north London. The Premier League heavyweights are famed for their production of home-grown stars, with those coming through the system needing to adopt a “better than you” mentality.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes teenage sensation Max Dowman is developing well "ahead of schedule" and is fully primed for a breakthrough campaign in Mikel Arteta's first team. The 16-year-old made history last season during the Gunners' triumphant title run-in, with the former defender tipping the starlet to play a vital part this term.
And just like that, it's over. After five-and-a-half weeks of breathless action, the 2026 World Cup is beginning to appear in the rearview mirror, the biggest international tournament in football history leaving behind a lifetime of memories while champions Spain continue their own celebrations.
And so the wait goes on. England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina on Wednesday means their quest for a first international trophy since 1966 will stretch into a seventh decade. The hope is that drought will come to an end in two years' time when the Three Lions co-host the 2028 European Championship, but will England ever again reach a World Cup final, never mind lift the most famous trophy in the sport?
West Ham were once known as the “Academy of Football”, but former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp has told GOAL why “something has to be done” about the lack of exciting youngsters breaking through at top Premier League clubs. Chelsea and Liverpool are considered to form part of that problem, with Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman proving to be a break from the norm at present.
Arsenal's teenage sensation Max Dowman has etched his name into the history books once again by becoming the youngest player to ever start a Premier League match. The 16-year-old was named in Mikel Arteta's starting XI for the final day showdown against Crystal Palace, surpassing a record that had stood for nearly two decades.
Thomas Tuchel has finalised his travel plans for England's upcoming North American venture by naming the fourth youth addition to his senior preparation camp. While some fans expected a sensational call-up for Max Dowman, the German tactician has instead put his faith in the Arsenal starlet's team-mate Ethan Nwaneri.
Arsenal's first-team squad returned to the training pitch on Thursday to begin preparations for their final Premier League outing of a historic campaign. However, there was one notable absentee from the session as 16-year-old sensation Max Dowman was forced to swap his football boots for a ballpoint pen.
Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has enjoyed a superb start to his managerial career with Luton Town, but he is already looking to his old club for summer reinforcements. The Hatters boss admits he is fully prepared to contact Mikel Arteta to discuss taking highly rated teenage sensations Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri on loan for the upcoming campaign.
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka considers Max Dowman to be the brightest star emerging from the Gunners' fabled Hale End academy system. The England international has also picked out his personal favourite goal from a distinguished career in north London and told Adebayo Akinfenwa of the best advice he ever received from the coaches that he has worked under.
Max Dowman has made Premier League history at Arsenal, with the 16-year-old wonderkid rewriting the record books, but Gareth Barry has told GOAL why the exciting youngster is likely to miss out on a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. There has been talk of the teenager becoming a wild card for the Three Lions, but questions are being asked of whether he needs to be fast tracked through that system.
Much has been made of Arsenal's quadruple charge being dashed and downgraded to a double dream over the last few weeks, but that's still nothing to be sniffed at. The Gunners have an excellent chance of claiming the two top prizes available to them, though they are in danger of limping across the finish line rather than marching over it with the authority of champions.
Arsenal's 16-year-old sensation Max Dowman has been ranked higher than Jude Bellingham at the same age by former Premier League manager Alan Pardew. Despite comparing his talent to the world's best, Pardew warned the teenager to expect footballing pain. Meanwhile, pundits are already urging the Hale End graduate to leave the Gunners to fully realise his massive potential.
Jack Wilshere has made a passionate case for Arsenal’s teenage sensation Max Dowman to be included in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, insisting that rivals like Spain would not hesitate to cap such a precocious talent. The former Gunners midfielder, who now manages Luton Town, believes the 16-year-old possesses a level of natural ability that even exceeds his own breakthrough years at the Emirates.
A unique quality possessed by Max Dowman has been used as a reason why the 16-year-old Arsenal wonderkid should be included in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. The talented teenager is yet to start a Premier League fixture, but has become that division’s youngest goal-scorer during one of three outings off the bench. Bryan Robson is among those that believe Dowman could be a useful wildcard for England this summer.
Max Dowman delivered a breathtaking individual performance to guide England Under-19s to a dominant 6-0 victory over Portugal. The highly-rated Arsenal academy graduate scored a spectacular goal and provided two crucial assists. Despite the emphatic win, the Young Lions narrowly missed out on qualification for the upcoming European Championship finals after Serbia defeated Poland.
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
