Max Dowman has smashed the Gunners’ record since donning an Arsenal shirt.
This season, he became the youngest player to appear in the Champions League, the youngest player to start for Arsenal and the youngest player to appear for the Gunners in the FA Cup.
advertise
Now, he has become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history (16 years and 73 days) after scoring in the 2-0 win over Everton.
Dowman is also the second-youngest player to feature for the club and the second-youngest player to appear in the Premier League, behind academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri.
For those who have followed Dowman’s short but exciting career, these achievements and his goal-scoring heroics come as no surprise.
The player, who has been training with Arsenal’s first team since the age of 14, has been compared to Lionel Messi by head coach Mikel Arteta for his talent.
advertise
Dauman is one of two 15-year-olds in Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia and is one of the club’s most dangerous players.
He won penalties in pre-season games against Newcastle and Villarreal and in Arsenal’s first home league game of the season against Leeds United, continuing that threat on his top-flight debut.
Arteta speaks glowingly of Dauman’s talent whenever he gets the chance, having previously said he was “blind” if he didn’t notice it – but both the manager and the club are wary of how to manage the young winger.
His performances were so impressive that it was announced in January that Dowman had committed his future to Arsenal by signing a pre-contract agreement, which will see the 16-year-old England youth international sign a professional contract when he turns 17 on December 31.
advertise
Arteta on Dauman’s talent: ‘It’s not normal’
Saturday’s clash with Everton looks set to be a frustrating day at the office for the Gunners, who look set to miss out on the chance to extend their lead over Manchester City in the league.
Their attack was not going well, and in the first half, Kai Havertz clashed with Michael Keane in the penalty area, and Arsenal was awarded a penalty kick.
But with the scores level, Arteta turned to 16-year-old Dauman, along with £64m summer signing Victor Jakores, and the youngster turned the game in his side’s favour.
advertise
Dauman had the ball in a dangerous area and he didn’t look fazed by the situation as he tried to take on defenders at will.
He played a big part in the first goal when Jordan Pickford misjudged his cross and Joe Kreis tapped the ball home.
Dowman then stole the show as he beat two defenders and Pickford won a corner as Everton leveled, the teenager sparking wild celebrations as he rolled the ball into the net.
“It’s a great moment,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “Especially the way the goal was scored, we had 10 or 15 seconds to really enjoy what was going to happen.
advertise
“It was amazing. Sitting on the bench, all the players together, jumping with the crowd. It was a great day.
“It’s not just his goals; [Dowman] Changed the game. Every time he got the ball he made things happen and we were more of a threat.
“To do that at that age, in that context, with the pressure and the expectation of winning the game – it’s not normal.”
Arteta, who has spoken up about Dowman’s talent all season, was not surprised by the youngster’s performance in the title race and said the 16-year-old’s approach to training this week gave him a “gut feeling”.
advertise
“It comes very naturally to him, he doesn’t feel pressure. He goes over, gets the ball and stays on it,” Arteta said.
“It comes naturally to him and it’s the best thing, so just make sure he does what he feels like.
“When you have a talent like that, I believe great things can happen. All we do is create memories and create moments.
“Over the years I think people in the stadium today will say ‘I was at the Emirates that day and that 16-year-old kid scored at such an important stage of the season’.”
Max Dowman made his Premier League debut in August aged 15 years and 235 days [Getty Images]
Arteta’s substitute comes on again
This isn’t the first time this season that Arteta has used his bench to change a game to his team’s advantage.
advertise
The Gunners spent around £250m in the summer as they looked to improve the quality and depth of their squad, and that investment is paying off.
Both of the Gunners’ goals against Everton were scored and assisted by substitutes, meaning the Gunners have had 11 goals and 10 assists from substitutes this season – seven more than any other top-flight team.
Arteta said he had told the substitutes to “go do your thing and win the game for us”.
“I said ‘at certain moments in the season, something special has to happen’ and he knows he has the quality and I have to give him a chance and he will deliver on that,” Arteta told Dauman before he came on.
advertise
With seven league games remaining, Arsenal are in the lead as they attempt to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.
Second-placed Manchester City drew with West Ham United later on Saturday, leaving the Gunners nine points clear with a game in hand.
“I think the last few months have been unbelievable. It’s been fantastic,” Arteta said.
“We go into every game and we play every game like it’s the last one and there are times when we’re better, there are times when we’re good and there are times when we’re not so good.
“But the relentless desire to win that I feel on this team is one of the best things this team has.”
advertise
With the Carabao Cup final against title rivals Manchester City next week, the good feeling around Arsenal could help them lift their first major trophy since 2020.
