Max Dowman Sets Premier League Record Ahead Of Arsenal Clash With Palace

Teen sensation Max Dowman will become the youngest player to start a Premier League match when Arsenal F.C. face Crystal Palace F.C. at 4 p.m. today, May 24.

Max Dowman, aged 16 years and 144 days, takes the record from former Everton F.C. midfielder Jose Baxter, who made his first Premier League start in 2008 at 16 years and 198 days old.

The latest milestone adds to a remarkable breakthrough season for the Arsenal youngster.

Dowman has already become the youngest Premier League winner after Arsenal secured the title this season. In November 2025, he also became the youngest player to appear in the UEFA Champions League at 15 years and 308 days.

He had earlier broken the record for the youngest Premier League debutant after making his first appearance in August 2025 at 15 years and 235 days old. The teenager then became the league’s youngest scorer when he netted against Everton in March at 16 years and 73 days.

Dowman is expected to feature in the Arsenal side that will receive a guard of honour at Selhurst Park following their title triumph.

Players who make at least five league appearances qualify for a Premier League winners’ medal.

Roberto De Zerbi says Tottenham Hotspur F.C. will fight until the end to preserve their Premier League status.

Tottenham host Everton on the final day of the season with only two points separating them from West Ham United F.C. in the final relegation spot.

A defeat for Spurs, combined with a West Ham victory over Leeds United F.C., could send the North London side down for the first time since 1977.

Despite the pressure surrounding Sunday’s clash, De Zerbi insisted his side are ready for the battle.

He said, “It’s still an honour to be a coach for Tottenham, even if on Sunday we play for the relegation fight, it’s not a problem. I consider football something more than ‌the (league) table…’

“We are fighting for something ​very important for everyone. It is ‌football. But we have enough quality. To attack the pressure, you have to find the valour inside of yourself, to understand the situation and force ⁠yourself to ⁠give your best.”

A draw against Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would almost certainly secure survival for Spurs because of their superior goal difference over West Ham.

De Zerbi also reflected on his only previous relegation battle, with Benevento Calcio in 2018, after taking charge midway through the campaign.

“You can’t compare these two situations because Benevento before my time was not like Tottenham. It was totally different. The level of the players, the level of the club,” he explained.

“But it was a very important experience for me because if you play to compete to win, you have enthusiasm, you have a good feeling in the week, in the meeting.

“When you are fighting against relegation, and you are this side and have all the players in front of you, the eyes of the players are not like the players when you are winning a league, or you are competing like Brighton to achieve European qualification.

“It’s totally different. You have to be positive anyway, you have to take the players with you and convince them, you have to find the balance to push and be strong with them but to give hugs, transfer confidence. It’s the sensitivity of the coach, you have to understand it’s two different situations.”