Arsenal banking on the next academy jewel following Saka and Lewis-Skelly’s blueprint.
Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Arsenal’s latest U-15 sensation, who is already drawing early comparisons to club captain Martin Ødegaard. The young talent has turned heads within the academy setup, with Arteta reportedly eyeing a fast-tracked path to the first team.
This comes as Arsenal continues to nurture elite youth prospects, following in the footsteps of Ethan Nwaneri — who made history in September 2022 when he debuted against Brentford at just 15 years and 181 days old, becoming the youngest Premier League player ever.
“He trains with us a lot. I think he’s on the right path, and everyone in the academy has done an incredible job — protecting him, inspiring him, challenging him, and helping him maintain the high standards he’s capable of. He’s doing well, taking the right steps, and we’re being patient. Ultimately, he’ll dictate how fast we go.”
What’s Next for Arsenal?
Mikel Arteta’s side will wrap up their season on May 25, facing already-relegated Southampton away from home. With a top-four finish secured, the Gunners have already booked their spot in next season’s Champions League, capping off another strong Premier League campaign.
What Happened?
Downman has been training with Arsenal’s senior squad for several months and was included in the travelling party for the club’s mid-season training camp in Dubai. The talented midfielder, who turns 16 in December, was previously ineligible to feature for the senior team during the 2024–25 campaign. However, according to The Mirror, he is now set to be officially integrated into the first-team setup next season and is expected to join the squad for their pre-season tour of Asia.
