Arsenal have secured the futures of both Max Dowman and Marli Salmon.
The two 16-year-olds are extraordinary talents, and everyone who watched them in the academy knew they would become huge stars.
Dowman is currently ahead of Salmon in his progression with the first team, but they are both the future of Arsenal.
The two players have signed pre-contracts that will see them ink three-year deals on their 17th birthdays. But the length of those agreements is just three years.
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Why Max Dowman and Marli Salmon have only agreed to three-year Arsenal contracts
When you see players as exciting as Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, it becomes a no-brainer to secure their long-term futures at the club.
If either were available right now, we are sure every big club in England and Europe would queue up to sign them immediately.
Arsenal made it a priority to keep them at the club, and with both players, they have secured pre-contract agreements that will become three-year deals as soon as they turn 17.
You might wonder why only three-year deals are on the table instead of five years or longer. It is because of the regulations.
According to The Sun, FA rules make it clear that 17-year-olds are not allowed to sign contracts that are any longer than three years.
That is why both Dowman and Salmon have only committed their futures until 2029, but Arsenal fans have nothing to worry about.
The report claims that there is no restriction on the length of a player’s contract once they turn 18, and it is common for clubs to offer new five-year deals right after their birthday.
We expect Andrea Berta to do the same with Dowman and Salmon as soon as they turn 18.
How closely do you think Max Dowman will follow in Lamine Yamal’s footsteps?
Max Dowman may have a big role to play in Arsenal’s title run-in
Arsenal and Manchester City are both level on points and goal difference in the Premier League table at the moment, and with just five games left, it is going to be an exciting finish.
The Gunners have dropped down to second in the table because they have scored three fewer goals than the Sky Blues so far this season.
That is something Mikel Arteta will definitely have an eye on, so Arsenal will need all their creative players to step up and deliver in the final games.
Dowman has players ahead of him in the pecking order, but his fearlessness, combined with his ability to score and assist, could see him get opportunities.
We think he still has a big role to play this season, despite his young age.
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