Football
Max Dowman Becomes Youngest Premier League Starter at 16 Years
At 16 years and 144 days, Max Dowman set a new Premier League record by starting for Arsenal against Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
Max Dowman, the 16-year-old Arsenal talent, has set a new Premier League record by becoming the youngest player to start a match. He was included in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup for Arsenal’s final game of the 2025-26 season against Crystal Palace, breaking a nearly 20-year-old record.
During the match at Selhurst Park, Dowman took the field at 16 years and 144 days old, surpassing the previous youngest starter record held by Jose Baxter, who was 16 years and 198 days old when he started for Everton in 2008. Arsenal entered the game as newly crowned champions and were honored with a guard of honor before kickoff.
Dowman’s Rapid Rise and Record-Breaking Season
This start marks another milestone in a season full of achievements for Dowman. Earlier in August 2025, he became the youngest player ever to appear in a Premier League match at 15 years and 235 days. In November, he set a Champions League record as the youngest player to appear at 15 years and 308 days. Then in March, Dowman became the youngest Premier League goalscorer at 16 years and 73 days after scoring against Everton.
With five Premier League appearances this season, Dowman has secured his status as a league winner in his debut professional campaign, an accomplishment rare for someone his age.
England National Team Selection and Future Prospects
Despite his club success, Dowman will not be joining the senior England national team’s upcoming preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Thomas Tuchel, the national team coach, chose to include Arsenal teammate Ethan Nwaneri in the senior training camp in Miami instead. Tuchel explained that young players would be brought in to train with the squad and that the friendly matches would be used to manage player minutes and workload.
As Dowman heads into the offseason, he remains a key figure in Arsenal’s plans. Alongside Nwaneri, he is part of a group of homegrown players expected to contribute significantly to Arsenal’s continued success in English football. Dowman’s record-setting start on the final day of the season further establishes his place in Premier League history.
