Max Dowman could get England breakthrough after squad withdrawals
Arsenal have a chance to press the reset button as they now have three weeks to regroup following their 3-0 defeat to Brighton over the weekend. The first international break of the season has hit, and it has perhaps come at the perfect time for Mikel Arteta's side.
Several Gunners will be off on international duty over the next couple of weeks, including four in the England squad. Bukayo Saka, Ezri Konsa, Eberechi Eze and Myles Lewis-Skelly will all join for Thomas Tuchel's first camp since the World Cup heartbreak.
Declan Rice won't be in the squad; however, he decided to pull out of international duty this month, alongside several other England stars. Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento have all withdrawn due to fitness and injury concerns, prioritising their club prospects at this moment in time.
It means that there is space at Tuchel's England camp this month, and it could provide several younger England stars with the chance to get invaluable experience, and one of those potential names, is Arsenal's Max Dowman.
Dowman has always been mentioned as a potential outsider choice for Tuchel's England squad, as every time he plays for Arsenal, he is always one of the most exciting players on the pitch. This was evident last week, when Dowman scored twice and provided an assist in the Gunners' 4-2 Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town.
The 16-year-old is unlikely to make an appearance for England, but, according to Sky Sports News, he is in line to potentially train with Tuchel's squad at St James' Park, experience which could be very valuable for the young Arsenal star.
Dowman has been a part of the England set-up for several years, playing for the U16s, U17s and U19s, making a total of 31 appearances, and scoring seven goals. Many have wondered when he will get his first chance to play with the main team, and it seems like that chance is getting closer.
While this opportunity will just be training, it is clear that Dowman is in Tuchel's thoughts and mind, and clear that he is in consideration. If we see another international break with several injuries, withdrawals or changes from Tuchel, who is to say that we won't see Dowman actually playing for England.
Currently, Theo Walcott holds the record for the youngest ever player to represent England, aged 17 years and 75 days. Considering Dowman isn't 17 until the end of December, he might well get the chance to break Walcott's record before the end of the season, with the March internationals likely being a potential debut opportunity. But there's also another break in November, so there's every chance.
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