Max Dowman has been doing something ‘astonishing’ at Arsenal since the age of four

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Max Dowman has impressed with some exceptional cameo performances during Arsenal’s pre-season so far.

Despite only turning 15 last December, the starlet was called up to Mikel Arteta’s squad for their trips to Singapore and Hong Kong.

Dowman impressed against Newcastle in his 30-minute cameo, producing several eye-catching moments, while he also showed glimpses in games against AC Milan and Tottenham.

That said, Dowman isn’t expected to feature regularly in Arsenal’s first team next season, with the Gunners eager to carefully manage his development and integration into senior football.

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Max Dowman has been playing in higher age groups at Arsenal since the age of four

Dowman’s emergence during Arsenal’s pre-season isn’t unexpected for those within the Hale End academy.

The creative midfielder has been making waves in the Gunners’ youth set-up since first joining the North London club at the age of four.

Showing immense technical ability and composure while playing with people older than him, Dowman’s rise to prominence has been inevitable.

According to Stuart James of the Athletic, the 15-year-old has been playing in higher age groups since he first joined Arsenal’s academy.

“With Dowman, it’s just astonishing to see the way he’s gone through those age groups,” James said on the Athletic FC podcast.

“But he’s done it right from the start. He joined Arsenal at the age of four. He was playing up almost immediately from then.

“So, this is going to have been a natural progression for him to get to where he is.”

Generally, youth players won’t be moved to higher age groups until they hit the early years of adolescence, and even then, it’s only if they’re outstanding and physically superior to those of their own age.

Thus, what Arsenal’s latest young star has done is nothing short of remarkable, and suggests he’s on the right path to becoming a superb senior player.

Dowman has been compared to Lionel Messi, which may seem ridiculous given what he’s done in the game thus far, although James’ comments bring some validity to these types of comparisons.

Arsenal still need to be careful with the hype around Max Dowman

Neil Warnock has warned Arsenal fans to hold fire when praising Dowman, with the hype around the player piling unnecessary pressure on him at such a young age.

Unfortunately for the Gunners, the more he’s thrust into the limelight by being given minutes, the more the fans and the media will get excited about such a prodigious talent.

Dowman will have to deal with this pressure, as do most players who emerge in the way he has, at his age.

However, there is a point at which the praise isn’t conducive to an environment that can help him develop, and could ultimately hinder his progression.

Arsenal need to make sure they carefully manage him and make sure that he remains grounded, helping him to block out the noise.

He’ll no doubt have an excellent team of people around him already guiding him, and if they’re successful, then there’s no reason he shouldn’t develop into the player everyone thinks he can become.