Wilshere hints at Arsenal first-team fast-track for 14-year-old Max Dowman

Arsenal U18's head coach Jack Wilshere has hinted that the club may look to fast-track one of his most promising stars in the Gunners' first team.

The former Arsenal midfielder knows firsthand what's it's like to be a young player thrust into the limelight, having made his debut for the club aged just 16.

Now, Wilshere is championing a name for the next generation by suggesting that 14-year-old Max Dowman could be ready for a first team birth.

Dowman made his debut for the U18's at just 13, and Wilshere has been 'really enjoying' the midfielder's recent displays.

He caught the eye again in last weekend's win over Fulham, assisting four of the goals in a 5-2 win for the Gunners youth side.

Speaking to the club's media team after the victory, Wilshere talked up the schoolboy and revealed he could soon be ready to move into the first-team squad.

'There's always a concern when fielding such a young player in these matches, but if you're good enough you're old enough,' said Wilshere.

'He can be more consistent but he's only 14 and hasn't even started his GCSEs yet.

'We need to find a balance of letting him play and enjoy the game because of his age but also trying to get as much work into him as we can.

'Hopefully, we can fast-track him and when he goes over to the first team he'll be more ready.'

Dowman made an instant impact on breaking into the U18 team, helping the Gunners to a 4-0 win over Southampton, and being labelled the star of the show as he made his bow as a 13-year-old.

He's also starred for the North London club's under-16 side, and was part of the team that demolished Liverpool 14-3 earlier this season, in a game where he netted twice and provided three assists.

Those performances saw him earn a call-up to England's under-16 team, and a video compilation of his performances for the young lions went viral earlier this month as it showed Dowman's immense potential.