Jordan Pickford believes everyone will have heard of a player emerging through Arsenal’s academy in a few years.
The Gunners have produced an array of talented youngsters in recent times, including the likes of Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Per Mertesacker’s operation at Hale End has become one of the most prosperous in English football, and this has subsequently saved the North London club millions in the transfer market.
Perhaps the greatest star of them all is yet to make his senior breakthrough.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Jordan Pickford says everyone will know who Max Dowman is in
Max Dowman is possibly the most famous under-16 footballer on the planet.
The starlet has enjoyed a role in the first team at Arsenal this season, making short cameo appearances against Leeds, Liverpool and Port Vale.
Boasting exceptional composure on the ball for a player of his age, many are tipping Dowman to develop into a special player.
Most Gunners fans would probably assume the hype around the youngster was internal, but it appears players outside of N5 are already well aware of the talent that the 15-year-old has.
Speaking to Rising Ballers on TikTok, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was asked to name a ‘young baller’ in the Premier League who will be known in three years’ time.
“Max Dowman,” he responded, affirmatively.
Dowman has already committed his future to Arsenal, although the Gunners aren’t able to sign him on a professional deal until he turns 17 in December 2026.
Max Dowman needs to develop at his own pace
There is a risk that all the noise around Dowman will put unnecessary pressure on him too early in his development.
Several young players have burst onto the scene at a very young age and struggled to cope with the pressure that comes with this.
Fans are already dubbing Dowman the next Lamine Yamal, and comparisons like this are unhealthy and can only serve to derail a player’s career.
⭐️ 15 years 181 days
⭐️ 15 years 235 days
Celebrating the Premier League’s youngest-ever debutants, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 30, 2025
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Arsenal must ensure they keep him grounded and surround him with the right people to help him cope with a unique set of experiences for someone his age.
The fact that Pickford is already mentioning him in a piece of media speaks volumes about his notoriety, and this has to be carefully managed.
