Arsenal plan to offer young star fresh contract in the next year

Arsenal are now planning to offer one of their hottest prospects a new contract at the club, after impressing Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal are preparing to secure the future of their most promising young talent by offering Max Dowman a fresh contract around the turn of the year. The Gunners are impressed with the support network the Englishman has around him, and there are plans to offer him a deal as soon as January, according to ESPN.

The 15-year-old has become the talk of North London following his remarkable performances throughout the academy system. In the latter stage of the U18 Premier League, Dowman netted an impressive fourteen goals and registered two assists in just seven games.

Dowman’s meteoric rise through Arsenal’s ranks has seen him dubbed as one of the best that Hale End has ever produced. While last March, his appointed first-team mentor, Declan Rice described the academy star as ‘the best 15-year-old in the country’.

After the disappointment of recent exits by the likes of Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi, securing Dowman’s services would fulfil the club’s strong desire to avoid losing another generational prospect. The Gunners are determined not to repeat the mistakes that saw promising talents slip away to rivals.

The youngster has already gained valuable first-team experience during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia this summer. He impressed during his first-team debut in a pre-season friendly against AC Milan, before winning a late penalty to see victory against Newcastle United just days later.

Speaking during the tour, Arteta raved: “What he’s done today against this team in the time that he had on the pitch, it is something certainly not common to witness for a 15-year-old. We are extremely happy to have him.”

While Dowman is still too young to fully sign a professional contract, with Football Association regulations citing that a player must be 17 years-old, the club can present the offer to Dowman, who is now an under-16 player.

The support network around Dowman has clearly impressed Arsenal’s hierarchy. He reportedly comes from a household of Gooners, and his father has been active on X, formerly Twitter, showing the player’s love for the North London side.

Having impressed in pre-season, it remains to be seen how involved Dowman will be throughout this season, in both the Premier League and cup competitions.