Arsenal legend Jack Wilshere has never been shy about praising young talent, but when it comes to rising star Max Dowman, his admiration comes with an unmistakable sense of awe.
The former England midfielder, youth coach, and now Luton coach believes Dowman possesses the kind of natural ability destined for the highest level, even if he’s careful not to label the youngster too early.
“It’s hard because I don’t want to be the guy who says: ‘he will be this, or that.’ But every challenge he’s had at the moment, I remember playing him for the 18s and he was 13 and we were playing Southampton, a good academy,” Wilshere explained, recalling one of the earliest signs of Dowman’s extraordinary talent.
Wilshere went on to share a moment that perfectly captured the midfielder’s unique blend of physical capability and technical elegance, rare traits for a boy who had barely entered his teens.
“We were 2-0 up and I remember saying to my assistant: ‘Let’s get Max on the pitch.’ I stood next to him and he was already taller than me”
It wasn’t just Dowman’s size that shocked Wilshere, it was his confidence and maturity. Before sending him on, Wilshere offered what he believed were sensible instructions for a 13-year-old about to face players five years older.
“I remember saying to him: ‘Max, remember you are playing against players who are five years older than you which is fine but don’t get into duels, just pop it round and have one or two touches.’”
What happened next left the Arsenal icon stunned.
“He came on and the first thing he did, he ran around three players, squared it and we scored. I looked at my assistant and I’d never seen this before.”
Wilshere’s story paints a clear picture: Dowman isn’t just talented, he’s fearless, intelligent, and already performing at levels well beyond his age group.
While Wilshere remains cautious about placing heavy expectations on him, the excitement in his voice tells its own story.
If Dowman continues on his current trajectory, Arsenal may well be nurturing the next big star to emerge from their academy.
