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Rio Ferdinand has been left stunned by Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman following the teenager's pre-season showing against AC Milan. The Manchester United legend dubbed him the finest 15-year-old talent globally.
Those connected with Arsenal will be fully aware of the extraordinary talent Dowman possesses, having monitored his development through the youth system. Despite his young age, the left-footed attacking midfielder has been accelerated into the first team, training alongside the Gunners' senior squad since the start of this year.
Dowman was included in the squad Mikel Arteta brought to Spain for a training camp last week and, on Wednesday, entered the fray at the 65-minute mark to face AC Milan during the side's pre-season fixture in Singapore.
The England U17s star operated in the right wing role, appearing sharp and assured whenever on the ball, while converting Arsenal's sixth penalty in a pre-arranged penalty shootout. His dazzling cameo delivered a clear signal that he's prepared to be utilised by Arteta when the 2025/26 campaign commences.
Former TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand is amongst many to board the Dowman bandwagon, having been left mesmerised by what he's witnessed thus far. He remarked on Rio Ferdinand Presents: "There's a different energy about me when I'm talking about young players. Young players that get you off your seat. Who you watch, and you just go, 'Ooh, give me some more of that,'" reports the Mirror.
"I spoke about him in November by the way, Max Dowman, don't forget that name, lads. Hale End at Arsenal have produced another young gem. They've got Ethan Nwaneri already and Bukayo Saka who's an elder statesman now in the changing room.
"And 15-year-old Dowman knocking about now. If you haven't seen the clips I advise you to go online. Look, it's early days... But it looks like Declan Rice has taken him under his wing, they took a selfie together.
"He's definitely the best 15-year-old in the country, probably in Europe right now. Maybe the world.
"I keep seeing people saying, 'Don't overhype' - what are we in football for? We're here to be entertained, to get excited about young talent and appreciate it. I love it. I want to see the young players coming up.
"Go and see what this lad was doing in the FA Youth Cup game last year against Manchester United. He is a joke. And what I'm hearing from the Arsenal camp is that he's transferring his ability shown in the youth team to when he's training with the first team.
"The players are going, 'Woah', it's ridiculous so long may this continue and I hope we talk more and more about Dowman as the season goes on."
Statistics do provide some insight into Dowman's immense potential. He was only 13 when he became the youngest player to play for Arsenal's Under-18s and was just 14 when he first featured for the Under-21s, again setting a new record.
In September of the previous year, he made history as the youngest player to ever score in the UEFA Youth League. Dowman has also been a standout for England, playing and scoring for the Under-17s at just 14 years old.
During this summer's Under-17 European Championship, he was the tournament's youngest participant but started all three of England's matches, netting an impressive solo goal against the Czech Republic.
The FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Manchester United in February offered many Arsenal supporters their first glimpse of his talent. Playing at the Emirates Stadium for the Under-18s, Dowman was head and shoulders above the rest on the pitch.
The only way the United players could handle him was by fouling him from behind.
Arsenal's Player of the Season Rice echoed Ferdinand's sentiments in March, stating: "He is unreal. He's definitely the best 15-year-old in the country, probably in Europe right now. Maybe the world."
Even Arteta, who typically aims to shield young players from excessive pressure, has conceded: "Some of the things he does in training are unbelievable".
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