Max Dowman: Arsenal midfielder to become Premier League’s youngest starter

Arsenal‘s Max Dowman will become the youngest player to start a Premier League match when the Gunners take on Crystal Palace.

Dowman, who has played five times in the top flight for Arsenal, becomes the youngest starter at the age of 16 years and 144 days.

Jose Baxter, who was then at Everton, has held the record since he made his first start in 2008 when he was 16 years and 198 days old.

It adds to a list of records collected by Dowman, who became the youngest Premier League winner when Arsenal clinched the title.

In November 2025, he became the Champions League’s youngest player at 15 years and 308 days.

He was the youngest Premier League player when he made his debut in August 2025, at 15 years and 235 days old, and youngest scorer at 16 years and 73 days against Everton in March.

He will be part of the Arsenal side who receive a guard of honour at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Players who make a minimum of five league appearances qualify for a medal.