Declan Rice has dubbed Arsenal's Max Dowman as the best 15-year-old player in the country, reflecting the excitement surrounding this young footballer from the Gunners' Hale End academy. Speaking on March 24, 2025, Rice praised Dowman during an interview, emphasizing his immense talent and potential.
Max Dowman, a midfielder who is already impressing at a young age, has made 12 appearances for the England Under-17 team. He has also been training consistently with Mikel Arteta's first team since the beginning of the season.
Rice, who himself has taken on a mentor role for Dowman and two other promising Arsenal players—Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly—believes that Dowman has a bright future ahead, but also cautioned that the road to success is long. "I have had so many texts about Max recently where people have watched him and said: 'Wow, what a talent'," Rice told BBC Radio 5 Live. "But at 15, there is still such a long way to go. You can be the best 15-year-old in the country, but it doesn't necessarily mean at 18 you will be the best. So you need to be hungry, keep working, and keep pushing. He has got such a good family around him. He's unreal."
Dowman was recently part of the squad that trained in Dubai during the club’s warm-weather training camp, showcasing the trust Arteta has in his skills. In addition to Dowman, Rice has been impressed by his teammates Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, with both players making their mark in the senior squad this season, accounting for a combined 55 first-team appearances.
Recent performances from Lewis-Skelly have certainly caught the eye, highlighted by his impactful debut on March 21, 2025, where he scored the opening goal and was named player of the match in his first senior game at Wembley Stadium. Rice described Lewis-Skelly's performance as "incredible," noting his confidence and ability to handle pressure, which is rare for a player at such a young age.
The rising star Nwaneri, who recently celebrated his 18th birthday, also made a first appearance for the Under-21s, adding to the excitement surrounding Arsenal's youth. Rice expressed confidence in these young players, saying that they each have unique qualities, and he hopes they will thrive and solidify their positions in the senior team soon.
After observing their talent, Rice has taken it upon himself to guide the trio, having faced similar challenges early in his career. "I’ve taken them under my wing because I've been in that position before and had older players help me out," Rice explained. He values the connections he has with them, emphasizing the importance of comfort and trust in mentorship.
Throughout the season, Rice has continuously lauded the youth emerging from the Arsenal academy, indicating that the future looks bright for both the club and the England national team. "Arsenal are blessed to have three players like Max, Ethan, and Myles who could potentially have long careers here," he stated.
As Rice continues to mentor these exciting prospects, he remains optimistic about their development, pushing them to work hard and seize the opportunities presented to them. For the Gunners, nurturing such talent from their academy not only fuels their hopes for future success but also positions them to strengthen their youth pipeline while making a significant mark in the Premier League.
