Max Dowman could benefit massively from a rule change
Max Dowman is guaranteed a Premier League winners’ medal if Arsenal go all the way this season, thanks to a rule change on the appearances required to reach the threshold.
The 16-year-old wonderkid has broken into the first-team this season with Mikel Arteta unable to overlook his talent despite his tender age. The Gunners boss has entrusted Dowman with valuable minutes already, most notably in the League Cup and with three cameos in the Champions League.
Perhaps most importantly for the teenager, he has also racked up five Premier League appearances, which makes him eligible for a medal if Arsenal lift the trophy at the end of this month. His fifth league game was the 3-0 win over Fulham last week, having been brought on with 12 minutes left to play.
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Arsenal fans will note how he is fully deserving of the honour, having notched an assist in his debut against Leeds United at the start of the campaign. Dowman then set up a goal and scored an against Everton in March, helping the Gunners secure a vital three points.
Since the 2012/13 season, the club that wins the Premier League receives 40 medals in total. Any player who has entered the field of play in a minimum of five matches must be given a medal, meaning Dowman is ensured a piece of personal silverware.
The club can then distribute the remaining medals however they deem fit, spreading them between the manager, coaching staff or even other players who haven’t reached five games.
There was a time prior to the rule change, however, when Dowman would have required a minimum of ten appearances. Manchester United in 2013 were the first club to benefit from this new, lower threshold after they clinched the title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge.
Of course, there is still the matter of getting across the line for Arteta’s men, who are likely fuelled more by the fact they have fallen agonisingly short three seasons in a row than they are by a commemorative medal.
The Gunners have three league fixtures left to play and winning all three would guarantee them the title. Their pursuit of the trophy, which has eluded them since 2004, continues against West Ham this Sunday afternoon.
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