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Arsenal wonderkid scores 10th in 4 games in title charge

The Arsenal u18s are right in the mix for the title now, following another four goals from star midfielder Max Dowman against Reading on Saturday.

Max Dowman celebrates a goal for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal.com)

With their games in hand on u18 Premier League South leaders Chelsea and a match still to play against second-place Aston Villa, Arsenal’s u18s know that if they can win the remainder of their fixtures, they’ll top the division.

But there’s no room for dropped points, so the young Gunners needed to take all three from Saturday’s match against Reading.

Thankfully, 15-year-old Max Dowman was on hand to keep up his inspired recent form and drive the team on to a win.

Max Dowman of Arsenal is tackled by Samuel Lusale of Manchester United during the FA Youth Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal U18 and Manchester United U18 at Emirates Stadium on February 28, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)

Dowman set the bar high for himself in the 13th minute, receiving the ball on the right touchline well inside his own half before driving past three players and firing into the net at the near post for 1-0.

Dowman had the chance to double his tally 13 minutes later, after Louis Zecevic-John won a penalty. The youngster didn’t waste the chance, converting for 2-0.

After the break, Dowman made it 3-0 by capitalising on a defender error to score from the edge of the box and complete his hat-trick. The England u17 international then scored his fourth in the 83rd minute after his initial shot was saved but ricocheted off him into the net.

Max Dowman in training with the Arsenal first team (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Dowman now has 10 goals and one assist in his last four games for the Arsenal u18s, driving them on towards the u18 Premier League South title.

Chelsea remain top with 41 points, but they have just one game to play. Arsenal have three matches remaining and are just one point behind Chelsea with a superior goal difference.

The real threats to Arsenal’s title challenge are Aston Villa, who are one point ahead as well, but who also have three games remaining.

If Villa and Arsenal both win their next two games, they’d go into the final game against each other knowing that the winner would finish top.

But we’re not there yet. Arsenal have a north London derby next, coming up on Tuesday at 11:00 BST, whilst Villa have a West Midlands derby against West Brom at the same time.