The Rise of a Young Star
Gilberto Silva, a former Arsenal midfielder, has emphasized the importance of protecting young talent Max Dowman and not placing excessive pressure on him as he continues to develop within the club.
Dowman, who is still under 16 years old, is the latest promising player to emerge from the Hale End Academy. His potential has been gaining attention for over a year after Mikel Arteta decided to include him in the first-team training sessions regularly.
Following his impressive performance during the pre-season tour, Dowman has become more integrated into the first-team squad this season. He made history by becoming the second youngest player in the club’s history when he made a cameo appearance against Leeds United in August.
A Cautious Approach
Despite his early success, Dowman has not received many opportunities since then, with recent reports indicating that he has returned to play for Arsenal’s Under-21 side to gain regular playing time.
Silva believes that the cautious approach taken by Arsenal with Dowman is appropriate. He stressed that Arteta should not place too much expectation on the 15-year-old at this stage of his career.
“Max Dowman, wow. I saw him in pre-season,” Silva told GiveMeSport when asked about the talented teenager. “You know what I really like, with these young players, that kind of personality. It doesn’t matter how young they are, they play with personality.”
Building Confidence and Support
Silva continued, “Don’t be scared or afraid of trying things, dribbling, giving a pass, trying something different with their ability. This is so important to build their confidence, but also it’s important to give them time. Don’t put so much pressure on them. Help them with the pressure, because if you play football it doesn’t matter where you are, you are under pressure.”
He added, “It doesn’t matter if you’re young or a senior player, you are under pressure always to perform when you put the shirt on. But the job of the manager, the club, the senior players, is to give those younger talents the support they need to perform and don’t get distracted from what is around them.”
Growing Interest and Future Prospects
Despite his limited minutes this season, Dowman’s potential has already attracted interest from clubs outside north London. Recent reports suggest that Real Madrid were impressed by his performance for the Young Lions in September and have sent scouts to watch him again during this October break.
Dowman is currently on a scholarship contract and cannot sign a professional deal until his 17th birthday on December 31, 2026.
Looking Ahead
As Dowman continues to develop, the focus remains on providing him with the right environment to grow both as a player and as an individual. The support from experienced players and the coaching staff will be crucial in helping him navigate the pressures of professional football.
With his talent and potential, it’s clear that Dowman has the foundation to become a significant figure in Arsenal’s future. The club’s approach to nurturing young talent, as highlighted by Silva, sets a positive example for other teams to follow.
