Arsenal fans are convinced that the club has dropped a big hint involving Max Dowman’s potential involvement for their Premier League opener away at Manchester United.
Arsenal are set to begin their season with one of the most exciting fixtures in the English calendar, with a trip to Old Trafford on the cards.
The Gunners have done very well on the academy front in recent years, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri all coming through.
Max Dowman is expected to be the next prodigy to make his Arsenal breakthrough after an incredible pre-season with the senior squad.
And on Friday, the Gunners dropped a big hint about whether Dowman will be involved at Old Trafford.
Max Dowman not involved with Arsenal U21s in Premier League 2 opener
Arsenal’s Under-21s got their Premier League 2 campaign under way against Fulham at Borehamwood’s Meadow Park on Friday.
Dowman would have been a shoo-in to be involved in the game, potentially even as a starter – remarkable for a 15-year-old.
However, Dowman was not in the squad at all, prompting a number of Arsenal fans to deem it a “clear sign” that he has been earmarked for Sunday’s matchday squad.
“Dowman not with the U21s. He might be a sub on Sunday,” one fan wrote on X.
Another supporter said: “No Max Dowman with the U21s. Looks like he’s in contention to make the PL squad against Manchester United.”
The messages kept coming, with one fan saying: “He’s clearly a first team player now. Arteta rates him.”
Another supporter wrote: “No Dowman, Senior squad announcement soon. Nice.”
Another said: “Max Dowman getting a pen against [Ayden] Heaven late on in the game, is going to be something else.”
What pundits have been saying about Max Dowman
England’s pundits are buzzing over the prospect of Dowman playing in the Premier League – indeed, they feel he’ll take the competition by storm.
BBC Sport pundit Danny Murphy has backed Dowman to become the Young Player of the Season this term.
“Max Dowman, another young lad who’s not even 16 yet, but he looks a superstar,” Murphy said. “Unbelievable.”
Likewise, Michael Owen and Tim Sherwood have backed Dowman to be the breakout star for the 2025/26 Premier League season.
In addition, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has compared Dowman to Phil Foden.
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