Max Dowman is the latest star to emerge out of Arsenal’s prosperous academy, and the North London club need to ensure he has everything around him to fulfil his potential.
Called up by Mikel Arteta to feature in the Gunners’ pre-season tour of Asia, Dowman has caught the eye with some exceptional cameo displays.
Excelling in games against Newcastle and Tottenham, the starlet has already earned comparisons to the likes of Lamine Yamal.
Despite this, Dowman is expected to continue his development in the youth teams next season, away from the limelight of the first team.
Jack Wilshere set to return to Arsenal as youth coach
Jack Wilshere left Arsenal’s under-18s last year to become a coach for Norwich City in the Championship.
Overseeing the Canaries’ final two games of the 2024/25 season, the Norfolk club turned down the chance to hire the former midfielder as their permanent manager.
Looking for a new role, Wilshere was in contention to become Plymouth’s head coach, but the Devon side ultimately went in a different direction.
Now on the market for a new coaching gig, the 33-year-old looks set to return to Arsenal yet again.
According to BBC Sport, Wilshere is in the running to become the manager of the Gunners’ under-21s team.
Mehmet Ali, who formerly held this position, left to join Brentford’s senior coaching team earlier this summer, leaving a vacancy in the under-21s dugout.
Wilshere is now one of the favoured candidates to replace Ali, having impressed as head coach of the under-18s previously and having worked with several of the players within the Hale End system.
Jack Wilshere returning would be great news for Max Dowman
Dowman predominantly featured for Arsenal’s under-18s last season, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists in 15 league appearances for that age group.
Expected to spend significantly more time in the under-21s next term as a result of his progression, the teenager could be set to work under Wilshere once again.
The ex-Gunners midfielder supposedly had a significant impact on Dowman’s development in recent seasons, with the pair building a healthy relationship in the under-18s.
Thus, Dowman will no doubt be delighted that one of the key figures in his short career thus far could be returning to N5 to help guide him over the next few years.
It’s essential that the player has people around him whom he trusts, in order to get the best out of his talent in the coming years, and Dowman certainly seems to have faith in Wilshere.
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