Declan Rice drops comment about Max Dowman’s character that Arsenal fans will love
Max Dowman made history alongside Marli Salmon in Arsenal’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Mansfield Town
Max Dowman shone in the FA Cup(Image: Julian Finney, Getty Images)
Declan Rice is amazed by Max Dowman’s dedication to football and education. The Arsenal star’s response to seeing the teenager in his school uniform during a FaceTime conversation highlighted the commitment required to thrive in north London.
Dowman joined Marli Salmon on the pitch in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Mansfield Town in the FA Cup. They became the first pair of 16-year-olds to start the same match for a top club in all competitions since 1967.
Salmon initially held the record for the youngest player to touch the ball in the fifth round of the post-war FA Cup. However, it only lasted six seconds after Dowman claimed this feat.
Speaking to TNT Sports in September last year, midfield stalwart Rice admitted to being surprised by the teenager’s effort and attitude at Arsenal. He said: “Obviously Max is only 15 and he’ll be 16 in December.
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“I’ve never seen a 15-year-old so comfortable in the first team, it’s crazy. In fact, they’re just kids.”
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Highlighting Dowman’s educational commitments while playing for the Premier League leaders, Rice added: “I said to Max on the way back from the pre-season tour, I couldn’t wrap my head around him going back to school.
“He FaceTimed the other day and he was wearing his school uniform, and I said to him, ‘Dude, you just played in the Premier League a week ago, and now you’re walking through the school gates.’
“Even 15-year-old me walking into the West Ham first team dressing room would never have been as confident as him.
“I would have been quiet in the corner. If someone hadn’t spoken to me, I wouldn’t have spoken to them, whereas I feel like now, Max in particular, he has so much confidence in himself and his abilities.
“The support network here is amazing and I’ve seen the academy. The way they work is insane.”
Rice’s response to Dowman’s behavior speaks volumes about the teenager’s prospects at Arsenal, given his assertiveness within the senior squad. Manager Mikel Arteta also praised the youngster after his impressive performance in the FA Cup.
He said: “Quality. Because the ball bounces everywhere and you have people on your back.
“The way he manages time, space, the touches he takes is just incredible. Especially the speed with which he performs these actions. It shows the talent he has.”
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