Arsenal’s own Lamine Yamal scores FOUR and called the best Hale End prospect ever

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 26 Apr 2025 14:29 CDT
• 5 min read

News

Arsenal may just have their very own version of Lamine Yamal in the Hale End academy, with Max Dowman winning more rave reviews after scoring an incredible four times in a clash against Reading.

Dowman has been causing a stir at youth level with Arsenal, producing a dazzling run of form that has even seen him introduced to first-team training aged just 15.

This has seen him likened to Barcelona star Lamine and has led to him being branded potentially the Gunners’ best youth prospect of all time.

Playing for Arsenal U18 on Saturday, Dowman scored four times – two in each half – as the young Gunners ran out 4-0 victors. His first goal was a particularly spectacular effort. Gathering the ball on the right wing inside his own half, he blew by several challenges before making his way to the edge of the box and scoring with a low shot.

It was the continuation of a blistering run for the young teenager, who now has 10 goals and one assist across Arsenal’s last four U18 matches.

Excitement continues to build around the Emirates because of the youngster who Declan Rice has described as “the best 15-year-old in the country”.

Arsenal have their new Bergkamp

FootballTransfers’ Steve Kay explains: “This kid is going right to the top. He’s probably the most exciting 15-year-old prospect in Europe right now.

“Every level he plays, he excel whether it’s the U16s or the U18s. He also played in the UEFA Youth League with the U19s, becoming the youngest scorer in that competition. And don’t forget that he trains regularly with Arsenal’s first team.

“Those at the Academy compare him to Kaka, and he looks a certainty to play with England one day. His technique and football intelligence has been compare to a young Dennis Bergkamp at Ajax.

“It looks like he’s on the same trajectory as Bukayo Saka, Miles Lewis-Skelly or Ethan Nwaneri.”

And this glowing assessment of Dowman is echoed by Gooners, who are naturally thrilled with his progress, with one exclaiming: “Hey Lamine Yamal, Max Dowman is here. We’re all good.”

Another account added: “At this age, arguably the best ever player in Arsenal’s academy.”

When will Dowman make his Arsenal debut?

Max Dowman cannot play for Arsenal until the 2025/26 season due to Premier League rules, which state that players are not allowed to feature until the campaign in which they turn 16.

Dowman will celebrate his 16th birthday on 31 December, 2025, meaning that he will be able to emulate Nwaneri in playing first-team football as a 15-year-old early next term.

Mikel Arteta has bemoaned this fact, stating: “Well, at the moment, with all the legislation, there are a lot restrictions for your age.

“You know something that in other countries you don't even mention.

“So we'll have to wait and see. Already he is taking very fast steps, because every time we put him in a different challenge, different level, he overcomes that hill very quickly, which is great, we are on it.”

Dowman’s debut will have to wait for the moment.

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