Mikel Arteta insists Max Dowman forces his way into selection despite the teenager's age after the 16-year-old committed his future to Arsenal.
"If you looked at his passport every day, you would never play him, simple as that," Arteta noted earlier this season. "But when you look at what he does in training, you have to play him. If not, you are blind."
The Arsenal manager's praise carries weight following Friday's announcement that Dowman has signed a pre-contract agreement securing his path from scholarship terms to a professional deal on his 17th birthday in December. The Hale End graduate becomes a scholar this summer before formally turning professional on December 31.
Dowman expressed his commitment to the club where he has spent eight years developing. "This means everything to me and my family," Dowman said. "We all support Arsenal and I really feel like I belong here. I'd like to thank all my coaches, teammates and, most importantly, my family and friends, who have got me to where I am today."
The attacking midfielder has already etched his name into Arsenal's record books. Aged 15 years and 235 days, he debuted in August's win over Leeds as the second-youngest player in Premier League history. Two months later, he became Arsenal's youngest-ever starter at 15 years and 302 days against Brighton in the Carabao Cup.
His European impact proved equally historic. Dowman became the youngest player to feature in the Champions League at 15 years and 308 days during November's victory over Slavia Prague. The England youth international has contributed 27 goals and 10 assists across 34 academy appearances.
Dowman emphasised the importance of club role models in his decision. "I've been at the club my whole life, so this really means a lot," he explained. "There's such a clear pathway here, players who have come through our academy, like Bukayo, Myles and Ethan, who all really inspire me. It's amazing to have role models so close that have experienced the same thing that I have."
The wonderkid currently nurses an ankle injury sustained in December. He has missed Arsenal's title charge, which sees the Gunners sitting top of the Premier League table with 50 points from 23 matches. The club also secured safe passage to the Champions League round of 16 with a perfect group stage record.
Arteta previously revealed how senior players initially tested the teenager's resolve. "At the beginning, they responded immediately - kick him!" Arteta recalled. "That was the first one. And Max, to be fair, he was excellent, stood up and got into the next one."
Arsenal's youth pathway continues to yield first-team talent alongside Dowman's agreement. Seventeen-year-old defender Josiah King and 18-year-old midfielder Ife Ibrahim have also signed professional terms this week, with Ibrahim already debuting against Kairat Almaty.
