How Arsenal’s hierarchy are really feeling about keeping Max Dowman at the Emirates

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Arsenal Insider understands that the North London club have a new scholarship prepared for Max Dowman when he turns 16 in December.

The Gunners have one of the most exciting young talents in Europe, but given his age, they don’t yet have much control over his next steps.

Earlier this season, Dowman became the youngest player to feature in the Champions League, coming off the bench against Slavia Prague at the age of 15 years and 308 days old.

The opportunities he is getting at the Emirates Stadium at such a young age prove just how highly rated he is in N5.

Sources: Arsenal are not worried about Max Dowman leaving

Arsenal are not concerned about losing Max Dowman, with the belief that he is fully committed to staying at his boyhood club, sources have told Arsenal Insider’s transfer expert, Graeme Bailey.

Dowman, who David Raya rates so highly, turns 16 at the end of December, and that is when he is due to sign a new scholarship with the North London club.

Ultimately, that actually means very little, as during those 12 months, Dowman could leave for any club of his choice until he signs a pro-deal at 17. But the Gunners believe he wants to stay in North London.

Speaking about the youngster’s future, Bailey told Arsenal Insider: “Not much can be done other than he will sign what is there, it will be a 12-month deal, and the player can still leave during that time; that’s the danger, but there is little concern at Arsenal.

“A professional deal is waiting for him when he turns 17, but up until that point, Arsenal are vulnerable to any club coming in.

“Dowman is not tied down to Arsenal until he signs his first professional deal. Even on a scholarship, he could leave at any point.

“But as I said, Dowman has shown no desire to leave The Emirates and nobody expects him to before he turns 17.”

Ian Wright has been shocked by how much Dowman is playing for Arsenal this season, but at the end of the day, the teenager has shown he’s more than good enough.

David Raya speaks on Max Dowman and Lamine Yamal comparisons

Raya has downplayed comparisons between Dowman and Lamine Yamal, but admitted he’s so impressed by how good they both are at such young ages.

Raya told ESPN: “I would not ever compare two players, even less two players with that quality. They are two very different players.

“But where they are similar is that when they go out onto the pitch, they enjoy it. They are always playing with a smile that it seems they are playing in school.

“They go out there to play, to have a good time. It is clear that they compete to help the team, but that naturalness in the way they play football, and at the level they’re playing, is incredible.”