Arsenal fans are baffled after what the FA have just announced

Max Dowman had everyone raving after his brace against Ipswich on Tuesday night.

The 16-year-old matched Wayne Rooney’s record that had stood for 24 years, and his sensational solo goal had Arsenal fans comparing him to Lionel Messi. He is the most exciting prospect in English football right now.

His form wasn’t enough to earn him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. That’s probably fair enough, considering his age and how that Carabao Cup was his first senior game this season. He’ll at least get some experience with England’s Under 21s right?

Nope. Although there are spots for Ethan Nwaneri and Tommy Setford, both out on loan from Arsenal, there is no place for Max Dowman in Lee Carsley’s Young Lions squad.

Lee Carsley's #YoungLions squad! 👊

— England (@England) September 18, 2026

Arsenal fans are baffled by this. “How is Max Dowman not involved?” one fan wrote. Another said: “Max Dowman left out of both squads is ridiculous”.

“Ah so this is why Josh King wasn’t in the senior call ups. Honestly kinda surprised no Max Dowman”

Perhaps the FA think that at 16 not only is Dowman too young for the senior team — understandable — but also the Under 21s. Because if we’re talking about quality alone, Dowman has to be in there. It’s a strange one.

The youngest goalscorer in Premier League history now has three senior goals to his name, and he’ll be looking to add to that over the course of the season, should he get the opportunities.

Of course, it’s good to see Nwaneri and Setford in there though, both starting well on their loans at Dortmund and Stevenage, respectively. There are also other familiar Hale End names there. Amario Cozier-Duberry, who is now on loan at Middlesbrough from Brighton, has been included, as have Will Lankshear and Sydie Peck.

There’s no space for Dowman though, nor Marli Salmon, who impressed in his second senior start for Arsenal against Ipswich.