Rio Ferdinand has identified 16-year-old Max Dowman as the 'key player' who could help Arsenal win the Premier League, overlooking established stars like Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes. The former Manchester United defender believes the teenage midfielder, who turned 16 in December, could be 'massive' for Mikel Arteta's side in the run-in.
Dowman has made only four appearances for Arsenal in 2026 but has impressed, scoring a superb goal in the 2-0 win over Everton last month. Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube channel, said: 'He could be the key to Mikel Arteta getting Arsenal over the line, I think he's that good. He's not got the mental scars that the other players have because of what they've gone through in previous seasons.'
Arsenal are bidding to win the league for the first time since 2004 and will look to move 12 points clear at the top when they face Bournemouth on Saturday. However, defeats to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and a dismal FA Cup exit to Southampton have raised concerns. Ferdinand added: 'You might need someone like him to lean on and tell him to be fearless and help us through it without giving him too much responsibility.'
Ferdinand also called for Dowman to be included in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup this summer, comparing his potential impact to Michael Owen in 1998. 'I think he has to go,' Ferdinand said. 'Those talents have to go – Michael Owen went to the World Cup young and blew up the whole world.'
