Teenage Wingers Yamal and Dowman Praised for Joyful, Mature Play

As of November 13th, 2025, Yamal, 18, and Dowman, 15, are two of the world's most promising young wingers, though at vastly different stages of their careers. Yamal was a Ballon d'Or runner-up earlier this year and is a key player for both his club and national team, while Dowman has only made 5 senior appearances for Arsenal so far.

Despite the gap in experience, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya sees striking similarities in how the two players approach the game. In an exclusive interview, Raya praised their shared passion and natural enjoyment on the pitch, saying "when they go out onto the pitch, they enjoy it" and play with a "smile" as if they were "playing in the school."

Raya was particularly impressed by Dowman's maturity and skill at just 15 years old, noting the teenager's "willingness...to enjoy and to be himself, to take on players, and always with a smile on his face." The goalkeeper revealed that Arsenal have been "trending with him since he was 14 years old," a testament to the young player's immense potential.

While Raya refused to directly compare the two players' abilities, he highlighted their common trait of playing the game with a sense of freedom and joy, which he believes is "incredible" at the elite level they're competing at.