Arsenal sensation Max Dowman handed major new boost despite two red cards

The Gunners sensation, 16, was on Friday named in head coach Lee Carsley’s 23-man Young Lions group for upcoming friendlies against Portugal and France.It is the first time that Dowman will step up to U21 football at international level, having previously represented his country in the U16, U17 and U19 age categories.He was sent off on his last appearance for the U19s in a behind-closed-doors friendly against the United States last month.Fury: Mikel Arteta was angry with Max Dowman after his sending off for Arsenal at FleetwoodGettyDowman was then dismissed late on while playing for Arsenal in their shock Carabao Cup last-16 defeat by fourth-tier Fleetwood for retaliating following a heavy challenge, with the Gunners’ appeal against his ban rejected by the Football Association (FA).Dowman is joined in England’s U21s squad by Arsenal team-mates Tommy Setford and Ethan Nwaneri, currently out on loan at Stevenage and Borussia Dortmund respectively, plus former Gunners youngsters Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Amario Cozier-Duberry.Other standout selections include soaring Liverpool midfielder Trey Nyoni, plus Tottenham star Archie Gray, Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong and Manchester City full-back Rico Lewis, who was drafted into the senior squad last month following the injury to club team-mate Nico O’Reilly.Following a goalless home draw with Slovakia, Carsley’s side last month qualified for the 2027 U21 European Championship, which takes place in Albania and Serbia next summer.Their unbeaten run in qualifying was only ended by defeat to the Republic of Ireland in the final fixture, with England the current reigning back-to-back U21 champions of Europe after winning titles in both 2023 and 2025.