Former Premier League manager Neil Warnock has urged Mikel Arteta to tread carefully with Arsenal’s rising star Max Dowman, warning that early fame and attention can quickly derail young footballers if not managed properly.
Max Dowman. Poetry in motion. 🌊
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 28, 2025
🎥 @CorzekM pic.twitter.com/E1bwA1sc1u
Dowman Impressing on Pre-Season Tour
At just 15 years old, Max Dowman has made a serious impression during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia. The teenage midfielder won the late penalty that sealed a 3-2 win over Newcastle, showcasing his confidence and technical quality against senior opposition.
Dowman has been around the first-team setup since he was just 14, initially stepping in due to an injury crisis last December. Since then, he’s earned regular opportunities with Arteta’s squad — and could be in line for even more first-team exposure as the season nears.
📰 Read more: Max Dowman shines in Arsenal pre-season
Warnock: “If You’re Good Enough, You’re Old Enough — But Be Careful”
Speaking on talkSPORT, Warnock praised Dowman’s talent but warned against putting too much pressure on someone still so young.
“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough,” Warnock said.
“But with 15-year-olds, and the Arsenal lad, you’ve got to be careful.
It goes to their heads — they read the headlines, the hype, the cars… They need the right guidance.”
Warnock referenced his own experience with John Bostock, who made headlines as a teenage prodigy at Crystal Palace but struggled to live up to expectations after an early move to Tottenham.
“I told John, ‘Stay here, play 50 games, and your career will fly.’
But sometimes family and outside influence can change that path.”
“At Arsenal, we don’t buy superstars, we make them.” – 🗣️ Arsène Wenger
— PureFootball (@PureFootball_co) July 28, 2025
15-year-old Max Dowman is taking the football world by storm with his standout pre-season performances 🌟
Another gem from Hale End. The future is in safe hands 🔴⚽ #AFC #MaxDowman #HaleEnd pic.twitter.com/pE3wpDKsH7
Arteta Credits Dowman’s Support System
After the Newcastle game, Arteta was full of praise for Dowman, not just for his talent, but for the strong environment around him.
“What he’s done today, against a side like that, at 15, is rare,” said Arteta.
“We’re very happy to have him. But it’s his family, the club staff, the academy — they’ve helped put him in a position to have a real chance.”
Eyes on Spurs Clash
With Arsenal set to face Tottenham in their next pre-season fixture in Hong Kong, many fans are eager to see whether Dowman will get more minutes in the build-up to the new campaign. His fearless approach and technical maturity have already sparked excitement across the fanbase.
