• An unforgettable afternoon at Selhurst Park

  The 2025-2026 season will forever be etched in Arsenal’s illustrious history, and Dowman ensured its conclusion was marked by another groundbreaking achievement.

  Stepping onto the pitch from the first whistle against Crystal Palace, at precisely 16 years and 144 days old, Dowman officially became the youngest player ever to start a Premier League match. This remarkable feat garnered even more attention as the Arsenal squad received a guard of honour upon their arrival at Selhurst Park, a tribute to the newly crowned champions.

  With this landmark appearance, Dowman surpassed the previous record holder, Jose Baxter, who was 16 years and 198 days old when he made his debut start for Everton back in 2008.

  A product of Arsenal’s esteemed academy, Dowman’s meteoric rise under Mikel Arteta’s guidance has demonstrated that age is merely a number, as he seamlessly integrated into the senior squad to partake in their championship triumph.

• Shattering every record

  His starting role against Crystal Palace serves as the pinnacle of a season filled with extraordinary achievements for the young player. In August 2025, he initially made headlines as the youngest footballer in Premier League history, aged 15 years and 235 days. He then showcased his exceptional talent on the European stage in November, becoming the youngest participant in the Champions League at 15 years and 308 days.

  By March, the prodigious talent further solidified his reputation by becoming the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at 16 years and 73 days, netting a spectacular strike against Everton.

  With five league appearances now under his belt, Dowman is officially an English champion, culminating a debut professional season that most 16-year-olds can only aspire to.

• Tuchel’s unexpected decision

  Tuchel’s unexpected decision

  Despite his phenomenal club performances, the 16-year-old talent is not currently part of Thomas Tuchel’s immediate plans for the senior England national team. While many called for his swift inclusion in the Three Lions squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the national coach opted to select his Arsenal teammate, Ethan Nwaneri, for the senior training camp in Miami instead.

  The German manager clarified his decision, stating, “We will bring a few young players who will train with us in a squad tailored to our requirements, and we have two friendly matches for managing players’ game time and workload.”

• The Gunners’ bright future

  The spotlight on Dowman is only set to intensify as he prepares for a well-deserved summer break. Even though the young Gunner will not join England’s experimental senior team tour, his undeniable status as a cornerstone of Arsenal’s future remains undisputed.

  Alongside Nwaneri, this 16-year-old prodigy is part of an exceptional cohort of academy-trained talents poised to play a pivotal role in sustaining Arsenal’s position at the pinnacle of English football. For now, he can relish a truly historic Sunday that solidifies his place in Premier League legend.

By Jean Nguimfack — Reporter