Max Dowman Becomes Arsenal's Youngest Starter Against Brighton In The Carabao Cup

JAKARTA - The talented young player Max Dowman became Arsenal's youngest starter after being included in the line-up for the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, October 30, 2025, early morning WIB.

At the age of 15 years and 302 days, Dowman broke a record set last season by goalkeeper Jack Porter - who was 16 years and 72 days - when he started against Brighton in the Carabao Cup.

Earlier this season, Dowman became the second youngest player in Arsenal and the Premier League history when making his senior debut as a substitute against Leeds United.

Ethan Nwaneri holds the previous record when he came on as a substitute against Brentford in September 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days.

Dowman played 71 minutes at the Emirates Stadium before being replaced by Bukayo Saka, who scored Arsenal's second goal in a 2-0 win to reach the quarter-finals.

"He smiled thinly (when I told him he would play). That's what you're going to get from him."

"For him, everything is natural, for him everything is fine. That's how he plays. That's the secret, he doesn't really mind it."

"He only did his best, namely playing football with courage and determination. Today he is again showing extraordinary skills, the ability to run past Premier League players at the age of 15, that's something really special," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

The match against Brighton marked Dowman's fourth appearance in the senior team, where Arteta managed to balance between protecting young talent and providing players with the opportunity to impress in a series of brief performances during the club's pre-season tours to Singapore and Hong Kong.

"What is certain (he wants to play in the Premier League), if asked, sure. That's what we have to handle. Not only that, there are many new things in his life."

"We have to make sure he takes the right steps, behaves well and accepts because this will happen, then he will play in a different team."

"He needs to face all that because everything is happening very, very fast. We all need to be aware to support him, but let's also protect him," said Arteta again.

ESPN reported last week that Dowman had agreed to a scholarship deal that would take effect when he was 16 on December 31, 2025.

FIFA regulations state players cannot sign professional contracts until they are 17 years old, meaning Arsenal are facing a tense wait to bind talent that has attracted interest from across Europe.

However, several sources told ESPN that Dowman is a big fan of Arsenal and still believes in his future at the Emirates.

Arteta also played down the possibility of the playmaker moving elsewhere.