He is a special player — Mikel Arteta hails teenage sensation after Brighton win

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 09:06 - 30 October 2025

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Max Dowman after the teenager became the club's youngest-ever starter during the Gunners' 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Brighton on Wednesday.

Max Dowman, 15, was impressive at the Emirates, helping Arsenal secure passage to the next round with goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Arteta described the composure and skill shown by the record-breaking youngster.

Max Dowman vs. Brighton:

🥇 Most dribbles completed (5)
🥇 Most fouls won (4)
🥇 Most duels won (9)

Showing his quality against Premier League opposition at just 15 years old 👏 pic.twitter.com/GsdSWBEx4p
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 29, 2025

"For him, everything is natural, for him everything is okay, it’s the way he plays," Arteta said of Dowman.

"I think that is the secret, that he doesn’t make a big fuss of it."

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The manager highlighted the determination required to perform at that level at such a young age.

Max Dowman. Credit: X

"He just does what he does best, which is to play football, to play football with a lot of courage and determination.

"Today again he’s shown some incredible skill, some capacity to run past players at that level in the Premier League at 15. It’s something definitely special.”

Arsenal will now turn their attention to the Premier League this weekend, where they face Burnley.