Patino's Wise Words: 'Stay Humble' to Arsenal Teen Sensation Dowman

CHARLIE PATINO has advised Arsenal Boy Wonder Max Dowman to stay grounded and humble ahead of a potential Premier League debut.

Schoolbody Dowman , who is only 15, made a huge impression on Arsenal’s Far East Tour and is in line to play Prem football this season.

5 Former Arsenal star Charlie Patino has offered some advice to Max Dowman Credit: Getty

5 Patino made his Arsenal debut aged 18 Credit: Getty

5 Max Dowman made his Gunners debut aged 15 last month and impressed on the club's pre-season tour Credit: Getty

Patino was once in that same position, having been feted as one of the best-ever trainees to emerge from the club’s Hale End youth academy.

His first senior appearance came in December 2021 aged 18 when he scored in a 5-1 League Cup win over Sunderland .

And he understands the pressures and expectations being placed on Dowman’s young shoulders.

Patino told SunSport: “I’d say to him to keep your head down, be grounded, be humble.

“Listen to the people around you. Listen to the players who’ve got a lot more experience.

“He’s a lot younger than me. I’ve seen a few clips and he looks like a very quality player.

“At an age like that, we don’t want to put too much pressure on him.

“It’s all about timing. Time will tell where he gets to. I wish him all the best in what he does.”

5 Dowman was a stand-out player for Arsenal on the club's pre-season tour Credit: Getty

Patino – who gained fame on Football Manager game as being a young talent for gamers to sign – failed to break into Arsenal ’s first team despite the patience of manager Mikel Arteta .

Following loan spells at Blackpool and Swansea , he left North London in August 2024, signing for Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna for £1million.

Patino said: “I really enjoyed my ten years there. I joined when I was a kid. I left as a man.

“Played in dressing rooms with men a lot older than me. Quality players. I’m taking all that into my daily life now.

“I’m thankful to the manager for giving me my debut. It was a magical moment to score.

“I try to go out there and play with a smile on my face. It’s the best sport in the world.

“Not everybody gets the opportunity to play for the biggest club in London. Pressure is a privilege, that’s how I see it.”

His dad and grandad are massive fans of Deportivo, who are famous for their blue-and-white stripes and breaking up the Barcelona and Real Madrid hegemony to win La Liga in 1999-2000.

Deportivo, beset by financial mismanagement, have been absent from the top-flight since relegation in 2018 and even spent time in the non-professional third tier.

They are a sleeping giant, a bit like Sunderland or Birmingham , and their ground, Estadio Riazor, a capacity of more than 32,000, is always bouncing.

It is set to be expanded to 48,015, at a cost of £78million, for the 2030 World Cup Finals.

5 Patino has urged the 15-year-old to remain humble Credit: Getty

Patino, who lives in a flat close to the beach, grew up watching Spanish football and likes to “base my game” on technical skill and flair.

The dream is to secure promotion and join fellow Englishmen abroad – Jude Bellingham , Trent Alexander-Arnold , Marcus Rashford and Conor Gallagher – in La Liga.

Patino, who played in the same England under-21 side as Cole Palmer and Liam Delap , said: “When the opportunity came along, it was a no-brainer to join Deportivo.

“I wanted to explore and try it out. I’m not fluent (in Spanish) but in the next six months I’ll be near enough there. I’m having lessons.

“The league (Spain’s second division) has a lot of quality. The level is high. A lot of players are technically and tactically very good.

“It’s a lot quicker in the UK. I’m enjoying the style here. I like to get on the ball, conduct the play. Make decisions. Send passes in-behind.

“I’ve always wanted to play in Spain under a foreign manager. We’re looking forward to the start of the season and trying to get promoted.

“The fanbase is massive. We have demands. We deserve to be in the First Division.”