• A historic afternoon at Selhurst Park

  The 2025-2026 season will forever be remembered in Arsenal’s history, and Dowman concluded it by setting an extraordinary new record.

  Stepping onto the pitch from the first whistle against Crystal Palace, at 16 years and 144 days old, Dowman officially became the youngest player in Premier League history to earn a starting spot. This remarkable achievement was further highlighted as the Arsenal squad received a guard of honor upon their arrival at Selhurst Park, celebrating their newly crowned champion status.

  With this groundbreaking performance, Dowman surpasses the previous record held by Jose Baxter, who was 16 years and 198 days old when he made his first start for Everton back in 2008.

  A product of Arsenal’s esteemed academy, Dowman has experienced a meteoric rise under manager Mikel Arteta, consistently demonstrating that age is merely a number as he seamlessly integrated into the senior squad to celebrate their triumph.

  
  

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• Shattering all previous benchmarks

  His starting debut against Crystal Palace is the culmination of a series of exceptional feats achieved by the young player this season. In August 2025, he first became the youngest footballer in Premier League history, making his debut at 15 years and 235 days. He then showcased his talent on the European stage in November, becoming the youngest Champions League participant at 15 years and 308 days.

  By March, the prodigy solidified his burgeoning reputation by becoming the youngest goal scorer in Premier League history at 16 years and 73 days, thanks to a stunning strike against Everton.

  With five league appearances now under his belt, Dowman is officially an English champion, successfully concluding a debut professional season that most 16-year-old players can only dream of.

• Tuchel’s unexpected omission

  Despite his outstanding club performances, the 16-year-old talent is not currently part of Thomas Tuchel’s immediate plans for the England senior national team. While some advocated for his swift integration into the Three Lions squad for the 2026 World Cup, the national coach opted to include his Arsenal teammate, Ethan Nwaneri, for the senior preparation camp in Miami instead.

  The German coach clarified his decision, stating: « We will be taking a few young players who will train with us within a squad tailored to our needs, and we have two friendly matches to manage playing time and player workload. »

• The Gunners’ future secured

  The spotlight on Dowman is only expected to intensify as he prepares for a well-deserved summer break. While the young Gunner will not participate in England’s experimental senior squad tour, his status as a cornerstone of Arsenal’s future is undeniable.

  Alongside Nwaneri, this 16-year-old belongs to a promising cohort of homegrown talents poised to play a crucial role in maintaining Arsenal at the pinnacle of English football. For now, he can revel in a truly historic Sunday that solidifies his place in Premier League lore.

By Yacouba Ouédraogo — Investigative journalist