Declan Rice stunned by Max Dowman's confidence after breaking into Arsenal squad while studying - 'He had his school uniform on'

Max Dowman became Arsenal's second-youngest player ever when he made his Premier League debut against Leeds United, and England midfielder Declan Rice has spoken of his admiration for the teenager, who continues to study at school while fighting for a place in Mikel Arteta's first team. Rice was speaking to TNT Sports in the latest of the Connected series of special interviews.

'He was going back to school!' - Rice on FaceTime chat with Dowman

Video credit: TNT Sports

Declan Rice has praised the impact of teenage star Max Dowman on the Arsenal first team, as he continues to juggle school work with being a Premier League footballer.

The England midfielder was left stunned when his team-mate called him for a catch-up and, while Rice was in his training gear, Dowman was fully kitted out in school uniform - a stark reminder of the extraordinary breakthrough from one of Arsenal’s brightest prospects.

Dowman is one of a number of youngsters to impress Mikel Arteta enough to be called into the senior squad in recent years, with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly also still teenagers.

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Speaking exclusively to Arsenal fans Alex and Dan for TNT Sports as part of the Connected series of interviews, Rice expressed his delight at watching Arsenal's young stars make such a huge impact on the squad at such a young age.

"Ethan and Myles - the difference from last year to this year, how they’ve grown as people, is incredible," Rice said ahead of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League clash with Olympiacos, which is live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ from 19:00 UK time on Wednesday, October 1.

"They’ll speak to anyone now, they’re loud, they’re themselves and that’s what you want. You want people to feel comfortable.

"Obviously, Max is only 15, just going to be turning 16 in December. I’ve never seen a 15-year-old so comfortable around the first team, it’s insane. They actually are just kids."

Dowman made a big impression on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong before coming off the bench to win a penalty against Leeds United on his Premier League debut.

At 15 years and 234 days old, he became the second-youngest player to represent the club - something he has achieved while still staying focused on his education.

"I said to Max on the way back from pre-season tour, I couldn’t get my head around it that he was going back to school," Rice said.

"He FaceTimed the other day and he had his school uniform on, and I was like ‘mate, you’ve just played in the Premier League a week ago, and now you’re walking back through the school gates’.

"Even me as a 15-year-old, going into West Ham’s first team dressing room, I would no way have been as confident as he was.

"I would’ve been quiet in the corner. Unless someone spoke to me, I wouldn’t have spoken to them, whereas I feel like now, Max especially, he’s just so confident in himself and his ability.

"The support network here is incredible and I’ve seen the academy - the way they work, it’s insane."

Merino on teen sensation Dowman: 'The things he has been doing are amazing'

Video credit: TNT Sports

The interview, in support of the Premier League’s ‘Together Against Suicide’ campaign, also touched on themes of mental health, struggling with anxiety and the impact and prevention of suicide. Rice made a particular point of emphasising the importance of speaking up about your mental health.

"My closest people that are around me," Rice said, on who he speaks to. "Whether that’s my best friend, mum, dad, girlfriend - just the people that you’re closest to.

"Even here, probably two or three of the lads, I feel like I could really go and speak to if I was feeling down.

"For me, sometimes, you wouldn’t notice it, but I feel like in football, even with anxiety, that’s such a big thing for players.

"Anxiety, thinking about the match, thinking about the game, thinking about what’s going on.

"Sometimes, some of the lads are one day high as a kite and the next day they keep themselves to themselves.

"I can be like that sometimes. I can feel so high and buzzing, but there are also days when I can feel - not low, but not as [high]. It’s about getting that balance right.

"I feel like if I ever was feeling really, really down, or anything like that, I could definitely speak to my closest people or two or three people here, which is a real positive.

"As we know, not a lot of people feel like they can talk to anyone, so I feel like I’m lucky in a way that I can."

Rice hopes that, by speaking openly about these difficult subjects, he can encourage others within the game to feel comfortable to chat about how they are feeling, and to make themselves a port of call for others who may be struggling.

"That’s the aim, for sure," he said. "Suicide is horrendous and I feel like the more people who can speak about it, high-profile people - I know a lot of people that do anyway - but the more people that can in the Premier League, I think it would be a real positive.

"It’s important that you get what you’re feeling off your chest. I know it’s not as easy as it seems, but even if you wanted to speak to me, speak to anyone you feel is close to you, because having those thoughts is just horrific.

"It’s horrible, it’s emotional to talk about, but I feel like the more people that speak up - I know it’s easy saying it - the better. There is someone there for you. You actually can speak to someone.

"I know the main thought in your head is 'no one is there' or like you can’t speak to anyone, but there is definitely someone there. Whatever it is, it will be 100% taken seriously."

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If you’re finding life tough, call Samaritans free on 116 123, and for more information on how to get help, visit premierleague.com/togetheragainstsuicide

If you have been personally affected by suicide, please visit Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide, a charity which aims to help people impacted by suicide loss, on their website: uksobs.com

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