Arsenal's Max Dowman has etched his name in history as the youngest player to feature in a Champions League game, making his debut at just 15 years and 308 days old. The teenager's substitute appearance in the 3-0 win over Slavia Prague on Tuesday has sent shockwaves through the football world.
Dowman, who joined Arsenal's first-team squad for a Dubai warm-weather camp in January 2024 at just 14 years old, has been making waves with his impressive skills. His landmark moment came when he replaced Leandro Trossard in the 72nd minute, becoming the youngest player to feature in the Champions League.
This achievement is just the latest in a string of records broken by Dowman. Six days prior, he became the youngest Arsenal player to start a match in the EFL Cup win over Brighton. The winger is also the second-youngest player to represent Arsenal and the second-youngest to play in the Premier League, with teammate Ethan Nwaneri holding both records at 15 years and 181 days.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Dowman's performance, saying, "It doesn't get any harder than this competition and Max, at 15, straight away looked to take people on and win free-kicks. The way he plays, he attracts a lot of contact. He is so good at timing the right moment to move the ball. We have a massive player there."
Dowman's rapid rise to prominence has seen him become the youngest scorer in the Under-17s European Championship, representing England in May, and the youngest goalscorer for England Under-19s. With his promise and potential, Arsenal has put measures in place to ensure his career progression and safeguarding, including a strong focus on his education and support from teammates.
The record for the youngest Champions League player was previously held by Youssoufa Moukoko, who debuted for Borussia Dortmund at 16 years and 18 days. Dowman has now taken the top spot, beating Moukoko's record and cementing his place in football history.
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