When it comes to identifying the future stars at Arsenal, or any academy across the country, perspective matters. Just one player from an age-group team making it to the Gunners first XI is rare in itself.
However, the case of 15-year-old Max Dowman feels markedly different to many of the ‘next big things’ that have experienced similar hype in their early teenage years.
Yes, it’s very early days for Dowman — he does not even have a profile on the Arsenal academy website — but all the ingredients are there.
For his age, he is tall — listed at 5ft 7in previously but still growing — and very physical.