Don't repeat my mistake! Walcott urges Dowman to reject England World Cup call up after Arsenal goal

Suraj Radia

25 Mar 2026 10:01 CDT
4 min read

Max Dowman has been tipped to become a stunning inclusion in England’s 2026 World Cup squad but former Arsenal favourite Theo Walcott has urged the teenager to avoid repeating his mistake and reject any call-up.

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Dowman has emerged as a breakout star after becoming the youngest player to ever score in Premier League history after an impressive strike against Everton earlier this month, aged 16 years and 73 days.

The record-breaking feat saw plenty of calls for Dowman to be fast-tracked to Thomas Tuchel’s squad but, having been taken to the 2006 World Cup as a 17-year-old despite never playing a Premier League game, Walcott believes the experience would come too soon for the Arsenal wonderkid.

"I hope [Dowman] doesn't go,” Walcott told The Mirror. “I don't mean it in a horrible way because if I could go back in time, I would change things. I would say to myself: 'No, no, don't do it' but then try telling that to a 17-year-old!

“I do still see him and me differently as he's playing in the Premier League but he needs to grow at his own pace, especially on the emotional side because he's a young adult. "I had to grow up very fast but this team is still young and not as experienced. He's being protected, which is important, whereas I had to get thrown in to talk to you lot!

"In time he will go, yes, but I don't think this is the time and I think there are better players who arguably deserve to be there ahead of him.”

Dowman set for bright Arsenal future despite Walcott pleas to prevent premature England pressure

Walcott had a similar rise to stardom after joining Arsenal in 2006 for €10.5 million after starring for Southampton as a 16-year-old and the forward was a surprise figure in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s squad for the 2006 World Cup despite having yet to make his debut for the Gunners.

© IMAGO - Max Dowman has had a major rise to stardom in recent weeks.

In the end, Walcott failed to feature for England and he admitted he was not ready for the call-up, which only increased the pressure on him once he eventually played his first game for Arsenal the following season in August.

Although Dowman has already made his debut for Arsenal, the 16-year-old has played just 43 minutes of Premier League football and has yet to even feature for England’s under-21s, let alone the senior squad.

However, Walcott believes Dowman needs time to grow and thrive under the tutelage of Mikel Arteta and senior stars such as Bukayo Saka.

"The great thing about him is he plays with freedom and to his strengths. I think it's credit to Arteta for allowing to that happen,” Walcott said. "Whenever he's been tested, he's passed with flying colours. Still, we can't get ahead of ourselves, we need to give him time.

"In Mikel he's got a good man around him and top players to learn from, Bukayo will look after him and I think that's important, he's in a good space."

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