JAKARTA - Arsenal's pre-season match in Asia is not just a warm-up event for the club. The agenda was used by Mikel Arteta to orbit the Gunners academy players.
In the second pre-season match at the Singapore National Stadium against Newcastle United, Arteta turned out to have other gems.
His name is Max Dowman, Arsenal's 15-year-old attacking midfielder.
He contributed critically to the Gunners' 3-2 winning goal over Newcastle on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
Max Dowman came on as a substitute. The 15-year-old player performed brilliantly by running into the penalty box which Joelinton finally violated. The referee also pointed to the spot.
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Martin Odegaard, who became the executor in the 84th minute, successfully did his job to score Arsenal's third goal.
After the match, Arteta also gave special credit to Max Dowman's appearance who made his debut in the first team.
"It's special. It's clear what he's been doing today against this team (Newcastle) on the pitch is something a 15-year-old player is certainly not bias to watch. We're very happy to have it."
"I think the environment around him, his family, people at the club, and around the academy, is very helpful because they put him in this position at the start of his journey, giving him a real opportunity and presence as he played for the first time," Arteta said.
Arsenal had difficulties at the start of the match against Newcastle. The Magpies opened the scoring first in the sixth minute through Anthony Elanga.
Then, Mikel Merino's smart low-kick and Alex Murphy's own goal turned things 2-1 for Arsenal before Jacob Murphy equalized in the 58th minute.
At the end of the match, Max Dowman's entry changed the situation which led to Arsenal's winning goal.
The shiny appearance made big European clubs immediately provide spotlights. Unmitigated, media in Spain reported that Real Madrid was ready to make an offer for Max Dowman.
However, Dowman has not been able to sign a professional contract until he is 18 years old.
Even so, Real Madrid are reportedly willing to wait to make a big offer in the next three years.
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