Arsenal have a youngster developing in their academy who could take Bukayo Saka to another level in the coming years.
The Gunners’ Hale End system has been incredibly fruitful in recent seasons, producing the likes of Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Per Mertesacker has done a remarkable job creating an environment and platform for these young players to develop and eventually shine at senior level.
It doesn’t look like this production of talent is going to stop anytime soon, with another exceptional player now threatening to break through into Mikel Arteta’s team.
Max Dowman wins penalty for England Under-19s
Max Dowman is making waves at Arsenal, becoming the youngest player to ever start for the club and the youngest player in Champions League history this season.
The 15-year-old is already essentially part of the first team, with Arteta trusting him to play minutes off the bench in senior matches on several occasions already this campaign.
Dowman was called up to England’s Under-19s squad for Euro 2026 qualifying matches against Lithuania, Latvia and Scotland.
Starting against Lithuania on Wednesday, the starlet impressed in the Three Lions’ 2-0 victory in Eastern Europe, winning a penalty that led to the opening goal.
The creative midfielder drove forward into Lithuania’s box with four players surrounding him, before shifting the ball to the right and being brought down by an opposition defender.
Chelsea’s Shumaira Mheuka stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick before the Blues’ striker doubled England’s advantage in the second half.
Bukayo Saka will profit from Max Dowman’s ability to win penalties
Dowman is developing a knack for winning penalties.
The teenager won spot-kicks against both Newcastle and Villarreal in pre-season, before also winning one on his competitive senior debut against Leeds in August.
Boasting outstanding close control and incredible balance, Dowman is effective at drawing contact inside the box as he moves at such a pace and can quickly shift the ball to the side before the opposition can make a clean tackle.
This is clearly a repeatable skill that works against senior players, and as he gets more minutes in the Arsenal first team over the coming years, he’s going to continue to win penalties.
This is going to hugely benefit Saka. While Viktor Gyokeres arrived with an impressive pedigree from 12 yards in the summer, the Gunners’ talisman has assumed penalty responsibility this season.
Saka takes all the spot-kicks when he’s on the pitch, and with Dowman likely to win them regularly, the 24-year-old is only going to get more opportunities to convert them.
This will increase his output significantly, making his numbers look even more impressive in time.
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