“I watched him playing against Newcastle United and bro I’m just speechless because his partnership with Gyokeres upfront will easily win Arsenal all the trophies next season…They will set Premier League on fire”: Liverpool coach Arne Slot names ONE Arsenal’s player who was unmarkable against Newcastle today as he expressed his fear ahead of the new season
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal oversaw a 3-2 victory against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon – and the display of 15-year-old Max Dowman, once again, has got fans of an Emirates Stadium persuasion talking about what he can provide the capital club.
The north Londoners, thanks to goals from Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and an own goal from Jacob Murphy, were able to pick up the second win of their pre-season tour of Asia.
Anthony Elanga and Murphy scored for Eddie Howe’s men; but all eyes were on Dowman as he entered the fray with 30 minutes left to play. Big things are expected of the playmaker – but how did he perform at the National Stadium, Singapore, against the Magpies?
The teen won Arsenal’s decisive penalty in the 82nd minute.
As it was a pre-season friendly, both teams did a lot of chopping and changing – and the Hale End prospect was introduced on the hour mark, replacing Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side. And, as expected, he was the heart of the action from the off.
Constantly, Dowman’s courage was on show as he often showed for the ball inbetween the lines. When he received it, a jink or a feint was inevitable – and the superstar in the making not once looked out of his depth against Premier League-level opposition.
The teenage phenom also won Arsenal their decisive penalty (watch above). Dancing past Newcastle’s left-back with ease, Dowman made a beeline towards goal before Joelinton recklessly took him down from behind. Well, what else could he have done?
Mature beyond his years, Dowman chalked up 16 touches within half an hour of play. His passing was accurate (4/4; 100%); his ground duel success was brilliant (6/8; 75%) and 2/3 (66%) of his dribble attempts turned out to be successful.
‘The efficiency of Dowman’s actions are elite’
To be given minutes, irrespective of whether it’s a pre-season friendly or not, at the age of 15 just proves the lofty levels that Dowman – who is also the youngest scorer in UEFA Youth League history – is aspiring to be operating at on a week-by-week basis.
And surely, just surely, he’ll make it. You’d expect it’ll be a seamless transition from youth football to rubbing stars with Arsenal’s senior stars – and fans are excited about how efficient the Chelmsford-born ace has been recently.
“The efficiency of Dowman’s actions are elite, every touch he makes just brings something with it. Whether it’s drawing a foul, a dribble, a pass, a shot, all the best players have it.”
“It seems absolutely crazy that Max Dowman is getting regular minutes this pre-season at the age of 15,” another fan said before adding, “Then you watch him play and you realise why it’s not that crazy. Ridiculous talent.”
“Max Dowman is a bloody JOKE. What am I watching? This is the guy to compete with Lamine Yamal’s crown. This is a generational talent,” one said. Signing from the same hymn sheet, a fourth wrote “Dowman at 15 is better than Lamine Yamal was at 15.”
Awe-struck by the fleet-footed youngster’s ability, another fan wrote: “Max Dowman… this is a generational talent. I’m in AWE.”
