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Arsenal youth duo return from international duty ahead of key cup clash

Theo Julienne and Max Dowman have completed their break with the England u17s, and they’ll now return to Arsenal for their u18 Premier League Cup group decider.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: Max Dowman of England battles for the ball with Wout Gielen of Belguim during the Men's U17 international match between Belgium and England MU17 at Royal Belgian Football Centre on November 15, 2024. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Arsenal duo Theo Julienne and Max Dowman concluded their international break with a second friendly against Belgium on Monday.

Dowman had started with Julienne on the bench in the first game of the friendly double-header, but this time around the roles were reversed and Julienne made the starting lineup.

Julienne played the first 62 minutes of the match, with Belgium taking an early lead before being pegged back by Ryan McAidoo for 1-1. Dowman was introduced at the same time as Julienne’s withdrawal, but he couldn’t stop England from slipping to a late 2-1 defeat.

MALTA, MALTA: Max Dowman of England celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA U17 EURO Championship 2025 Qualifying Round match between England and Malta at Centenary Stadium Ta' Qali on October 24, 2024. (Photo by Tullio Puglia - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Photo by Tullio Puglia – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

The duo will now return to Arsenal, where they face a key u18 Premier League Cup fixture against Crystal Palace.

As it stands, Arsenal lead their u18 PL Cup group, having won 5-3 against Liverpool and 3-2 against Birmingham City in their first two games. But with only top spot guaranteeing progression to the knockout stages and just a three-point gap to Liverpool and Palace, it’s still all to play for.

If Arsenal can secure a draw or a win at home to Palace on Saturday, November 23rd at 11:00 GMT, that would be enough to make the competition’s quarter-finals.

Max Dowman playing for the Arsenal academy (Photo via Dowman on Instagram)
Photo via Dowman on Instagram

Dowman has been important for Arsenal in the tournament so far, having scored against Liverpool before netting a brace against Birmingham City. The u18s were 2-0 down to Birmingham when Dowman scored his first, and his 97th-minute second goal secured all three points.

After 102 minutes for the England u17s across their two friendlies this week, Dowman will hopefully carry some momentum into Saturday’s game and repeat the trick against Crystal Palace.

Arsenal November England youth fixtures and results

Ethan Nwaneri celebrates a goal for the England youth teams (Photo via Nwaneri on Instagram)
Photo via Nwaneri on Instagram

Times in GMT

Wednesday, November 13th

Friday, November 15th

Saturday, November 16th

Monday, November 18th

Tuesday, November 19th

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