Arsenal Star Weighs In: Is Max Dowman the Next Lamine Yamal?
David Raya has witnessed the exceptional talents of both Max Dowman and Lamine Yamal firsthand, though Arsenal's shot-stopper prefers not to draw comparisons between the pair, describing their performances as "remarkable".
The previous season's Premier League Golden Glove recipient shares the pitch with Dowman at Arsenal while representing Spain alongside Yamal in international competitions.
Few individuals are in such an ideal position to provide informed insights about both players. While Raya acknowledges that Dowman and Yamal possess different strengths, he notes one striking similarity between these rising stars.
"What unites them is their pure joy whenever they take the field - they're constantly smiling," Raya explained to ESPN. "It appears as though they're simply having fun at the playground. They approach the game with genuine enjoyment and passion.
"Obviously they're determined to compete and contribute to their teams, but that natural approach to football at such a young age—performing at this elite level—is truly remarkable. They display such incredible freedom in their play."
At merely 15 years old, Dowman has just set a new record as the youngest Champions League debutant ever, pushing Yamal down to third place on that historic list.
Barcelona's number 10's meteoric ascent over recent years is widely recognized, having shattered numerous records before celebrating his 18th birthday this past summer.
Remarkably, Yamal is actually three years older than Dowman. The promising Arsenal midfielder has considerable ground to cover to match Yamal's early-career milestones, having made just five senior appearances under Mikel Arteta. However, this still exceeds what Yamal had accomplished at the same age.
Raya Impressed by Dowman's Abilities
Due to age restrictions, Dowman cannot utilize the same changing facilities as Arsenal's senior squad—except during tactical discussions. However, Raya only needs to observe Dowman during matches to recognize his composure.
"We don't interact much in the changing room due to regulations and protocols," Raya explained. "But when we're on the field together, the poise he demonstrates, his eagerness to simply enjoy himself and express his natural game, his willingness to challenge opponents, all while maintaining that constant smile—it's truly extraordinary.
"He's been practicing with our first team since age 14, so I'm genuinely amazed by his talent and skill level. At 15, turning 16 before year's end, he's absolutely phenomenal."
Raya's praise for the gifted Arsenal prospect echoes his previous comments about Yamal after Spain's triumphant 2024 European Championship campaign, where he lauded the youngster while cautioning against making comparisons.
"We recognize he's [Yamal] blessed with extraordinary talent," Raya stated. "He's a prodigy in his craft at just 17, even at 16. We must avoid these comparisons and allow him to simply enjoy playing. He's still very young and needs time to develop gradually."
Raya hopes that throughout the coming nine months, Dowman can contribute to ending Arsenal's extended trophy drought, while Yamal prepares to lead Spain's campaign for the 2026 World Cup title.