Arsenal wonderkid could make Champions League history tonight

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·16 septembre 2025

Arsenal wonderkid could make Champions League history tonight

After making his Premier League debut earlier this campaign, an Arsenal youngster is poised to feature more prominently in the UEFA Champions League. Max Dowman has travelled to Bilbao with the first team and has been included in the squad to face Athletic Club this evening. The 15-year-old was recently listed in Arsenal’s UCL squad for the league phase campaign, joining most of the first-team members in List A. The youngster is now set to break a few records as a result, and following his inclusion in the squad today, he could be poised to shatter a UCL record.

Dowman could break historic UCL record

An appearance against Athletic Club this evening would see him become the youngest player ever in Champions League history, surpassing the likes of Lamine Yamal in the process. Youssoufa Moukoko currently holds the record, while Lamine Yamal and Celestine Babayaro make up the top three. Moukoko broke the record 18 days after his 16th birthday when he came off the bench for Borussia Dortmund against Zenit St Petersburg in December 2020. Lamine Yamal was the most recent player to come close, but he was 50 days older when he made his UCL debut in September 2023. Max Dowman does not turn 16 until December, while an appearance today will see him shatter the record with more than one hundred days to spare.

Vidéos OneFootball

Max Dowman (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Saka and Ødegaard absences boost youngster’s chances

The continued absence of Bukayo Saka might facilitate an appearance for him today. The recent injury to Martin Ødegaard might also be beneficial given his ability to play in midfield as well. Noni Madueke is expected to reprise his role on the right flank and due to Saka’s absence, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman are the only other natural alternatives. The former will likely replace Martin Ødegaard in the squad, which will boost Dowman’s chances as well.

Arsenal v Athletic Club – UCL match preview, team news, predicted lineup and score prediction

Mikel Arteta has not shied away from getting the youngster involved with the first team and we will likely see him again today as a result.

Your thoughts?

Benjamin Kenneth

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