Arsenal teenager Max Dowman missed first-team training on Thursday after returning to school to sit his GCSE examinations just days after helping the club win the Premier League title.
The 16-year-old recently became the youngest player ever to win the Premier League after Arsenal secured the 2025-26 title following Manchester City’s draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
While Arsenal’s senior squad resumed training ahead of Sunday’s final league game against Crystal Palace, Dowman was absent as he focused on his academic commitments.
The midfielder’s rapid rise has become one of the major stories of Arsenal’s season under Mikel Arteta.
Dowman earlier broke another record after becoming the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer during Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Everton earlier in the campaign.
The teenager has made 12 appearances across all competitions this season and established himself as part of Arteta’s matchday squad despite balancing football with school activities.
Reports said students across England are currently sitting papers including English Language, Business Studies and Economics, although the specific subjects Dowman is writing remain unclear.
Arsenal’s title triumph ended the club’s 22-year wait for a Premier League crown.
The North London side still have more silverware to chase this season.
Arteta’s men travel to Crystal Palace for their final Premier League fixture on Sunday before facing Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30.
Arsenal are aiming to complete a historic domestic and European double after already securing the league title.
The Gunners also received a boost ahead of the final weeks of the season with midfielder Mikel Merino returning to training after recovering from a long-term foot injury suffered in January.
