Arsenal have reportedly selected a mentor for Max Dowman in the shape of a first-team player deemed “ideal” for the role.
Arsenal have made a real name for themselves as a club that gives youth a chance, and Dowman is the latest prodigy to break into the Gunners first team.
The 15-year-old has been making waves in Arsenal’s academy over the past few years and was in and around the first-team picture last season.
Although Premier League rules meant Dowman wasn’t allowed to play in the competition, he finally made his top-flight debut this month.
Aged 15 years and 235 days, Dowman became the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he came on in the 5-0 win over Leeds United.
With Dowman being so young, Arsenal have taken plenty of steps to ensure he gets all the support he needs as he continues on his journey.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand says Max Dowman is already one of the best in the world in one specific area
Declan Rice selected as a mentor for Max Dowman
BBC Sport ran an in-depth article discussing how Arsenal are supporting Max Dowman following his rise to the first-team, both in terms of progression and safeguarding.
They spoke of how the Gunners have assigned a member of their security team to stay close to Dowman at all times when they travel to games and arrive at the Emirates Stadium.
In addition, Dowman has built-in study time at Arsenal’s training ground to ensure his education does not get impacted while he continues his development as a footballer.
Arsenal have also made sure Dowman is well-supported by his teammates, with Declan Rice one of the players selected as a mentor to the youngster.
This is because Rice started his own journey at a young age, therefore he is viewed as an ideal candidate to give advice to Dowman.
The Athletic also claimed that, from the first-team squad, Declan Rice ‘in particular has become a mentor figure.’
What West Ham’s U23s coach said about Declan Rice that suggests he’ll be a great mentor for Max Dowman
Rice’s rise to the top of the game was not without a few stumbling blocks, but the way he took them in his stride explains why he’d make the perfect mentor for Dowman and other youngsters.
The £105million man joined Chelsea as an eight-year-old and was released as a 14-year-old, but he bounced back to secure a deal with West Ham.
In his year group at West Ham, Rice was the only player who, despite being given a scholarship, was not offered a guaranteed professional deal at the same time.
However, Rice didn’t let this setback bring him down – he worked on his game, kept rising up the ranks, and ended up becoming a history-maker for the claret-and-blue side.
Hammers’ Under-23 coach Steve Potts told BBC Sport in 2019: “It’s a very difficult age for a young player to be rejected.
“They feel they are on the verge of starting a career in the game. Many don’t recover.
“Declan just got his head down, fought for everything and forged his own path. He has continued improving ever since, and is still improving now.”
Potts continued: “Whatever people say about coaching or development, deep down it has got to come from within.
“Every player who comes into the academy has got ability and talent – and they get advice and guidance to help their development. Some take it on board, some don’t.
“Declan has always listened and learned very quickly. His progress is 95 percent down to his own self-motivation and desire.”
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