Arsenal “are leading the race” to sign another Max Dowman

While it hasn’t led them to any major success just yet, Arsenal have got a lot right over the last few years.

From backing Mikel Arteta in the tough times to getting rid of players who weren’t pulling their weight and bringing in those who would, the club have transformed themselves.

It’s not just the senior setup that has succeeded, though, as Hale End has continued to produce sensational talent after sensational talent.

One of the most exciting youngsters to come out of the academy in recent memory has to be Max Dowman, and now it looks like Arsenal are preparing to sign a teenage phenom who could be another version of the 16-year-old.

Arsenal target another Dowman

The last few years have seen Hale End produce more than its fair share of incredibly exciting homegrown talents for Arsenal, from Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe at the start of the decade to Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly last season.

This year, the likes of Marli Salmon and Andre Harriman-Annous have been given a chance in the first team, but the most promising academy product of all has been Dowman.

The young Englishman was incredible during pre-season, and before the recent injury he suffered in a behind-closed-doors friendly, he became the youngest starter in the club’s history and the youngest player in Champions League history.

In other words, the 16-year-old is an exceptional talent, and now it looks like the Gunners are determined to sign someone who could be viewed as another club’s version of Dowman.

At least that is according to a recent report from club insider Hand of Arsenal, who claims that Arsenal “are looking to sign the highly talented Igor Tyjon from Blackburn Rovers.”

The report states that the club previously tried to sign the teenage sensation last year but saw two offers, including one worth £2.2m rebuffed by the Lancashire outfit.

The good news for the Gunners is that, due to his declining several new offers from Blackburn, he could be available for as little as £1m this month, and that, as things stand, the North Londoners are “leading the race.”

It wouldn’t be a signing that’d impact the first team today, but even so, given his potential and what those in the know say about him, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Tyjon, as he could be another Dowman.

Why Tyjon could be another Dowman

Now, while there are plenty of exciting young talents in the game today, it would be fair to say that few have quite the same hype behind them as Dowman.

After all, he’s already broken a club and UCL record, so to be compared to him, you’ve got to be pretty special.

Fortunately, Tyjon looks to be a very special player indeed.

For example, in September 2024, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig boldly proclaimed the teenager Blackburn’s most talented “academy player since Adam Wharton.”

That’s not all, though, as he also declared the forward “the future of English or Polish football” due to his impressive ability and chance of playing for either nation.

It’s not hard to see why Kulig would say this, as the Southport-born poacher has impressed for both youth setups and currently has three goals and one assist to his name in just five appearances for the Three Lions’ under-18s.

He’s also made an impact for Rovers’ youth sides, scoring nine goals and providing one assist in 22 appearances for their under-21s and even making three appearances for the first team.

It’s not just his output that is impressive, though, as under-23 scout Antonio Mango points out that he has “great movement and excels in linking up play.”

Moreover, he passes the eye test, with Mango praising his “creative flair.”

Ultimately, while this isn’t a transfer that’ll impact the title race, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Tyjon, as he could end up being a Dowman-esque star in the future.

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