Declan Rice has described 15-year-old Max Dowman as 'insane' for how comfortably he has adapted to training with the Arsenal first team. Dowman, who began training with the senior squad a year ago, has already made three appearances and could become the youngest player in Champions League history if he features against Olympiacos on Wednesday night.
Rice, who has helped mentor young talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, praised Dowman's confidence. 'I've never seen a 15-year-old so comfortable around the first team, it's insane,' Rice told TNT Sports. He recalled telling Dowman on the way back from pre-season tour that he couldn't believe the teenager was returning to school.
The England midfielder also noted the growth of Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, saying they are now 'loud' and 'themselves' around the squad. Rice added that he himself would have been 'quiet in the corner' at 15, unlike Dowman, who is 'so confident in himself and his ability.'
