Max Dowman's antics causing immediate stir in Arsenal training speaks volumes

Max Dowman made history by becoming the youngest ever Premier League goalscorer and Arsenal's coaches and players won't have been surprised

Max Dowman had already been catching the eye in Arsenal training sessions long before his historic Premier League moment. The youngster was spotlighted ahead of the Gunners' 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

TNT Sports host Laura Woods was swift to acknowledge Dowman's remarkable progression and emphasised that his talent extended beyond match days. She said: "This kid, what he did at the weekend and from what we're hearing coming out of training and from other players talking about him in this Arsenal side, he's something special."

Woods referenced the mural of the 16-year-old, positioned alongside Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp, to illustrate the weight of expectation on the teenager. She added: "Listen, while I say on one hand look after him and don't big him up too much, there's a mural already up of him at the Tollington Road tunnel and we can show you it now.

"It's very beautiful and what a moment for him as well. This is by North Banksy, you know the ones he does in that tunnel. And look at where he is, that mural is next to one Dennis Bergkamp, talk about pressure."

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Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown was present to praise Dowman's strike against Everton, which made him the youngest-ever scorer in Premier League history. He said: "Yeah, and it would be wrong of me to go too far with what he's capable of, but do you know, there's a lot of quality in this [goal].

"Great little header that he puts in, and just look at this now, presence of mind to skip past his opponent, this is a special player, there is no doubt. He has that element of class.

"When you watch, you think what can happen, the sky is the limit. But the manager has managed him beautifully, almost like a parent would. Waiting for the right moment for him. It's time now for him to be unleashed. I'm pretty sure he gets on tonight, and hopefully the job is done for him by more senior players."

The teenager's displays in training, combined with his thrilling showings on matchdays, demonstrate he was prepared to step up to first-team level far earlier than many might have anticipated. Manager Mikel Arteta revealed just how impressive Dowman has been as Arsenal prepare for each important game.

He said: "You just have to see him train every single day, honestly. Some of the things that he does, he does it against these defenders that are some of the best in the world.

"So he can do it against anybody else and the doubt is always, yeah, but he’s 16 and the crowd and the pressure and expectations, but it doesn’t seem to be fazing him very much about that and he had an incredible moment to all of us."

The Arsenal youngster's self-confidence has been further boosted by former Gunners star Jack Wilshere. The ex-academy product worked with a considerably younger Dowman during his spell as under-18s coach, handing the winger his debut for the side when he was merely 13.

It was at this moment that Wilshere recognised Dowman's extraordinary ability, openly admitting the teenager surpasses his own talents. The current Luton boss said: "It's hard because I don't want to be the guy who says, 'He will be this, or that.'

"But every challenge he's had at the moment, I remember playing him for the 18s and he was 13 and we were playing Southampton, a good academy.

"We were 2-0 up and I remember saying to my assistant, 'Lets get Max on the pitch.' I stood next to him and he was already taller than me! I remember saying to him, 'Max, remember you are playing against players who are five years older than you which is fine but don't get into duels, just pop it round and have one or two touches.'

"He came on and the first thing he did, he ran around three players, squared it and we scored. I looked at my assistant and I'd never seen this before. But the most important thing with Max is he's a top kid. He's got a good family. He's got a mum who is amazing, a dad who would do anything for him and wants the best for his son.

"It was only six or seven weeks ago before I was here, I went to watch an Arsenal under-19s CL game and Max was playing. His dad was shooting off afterwards and he asked me if I could take him home. I drove him home and it's hard to remember he's only 15, he was trying to play Uno with me and I'm so happy for him because he's a top kid.

"People say, 'Is he better than you?' He is better than me. But what I do see in similarities is his love of the game. I worked with some kids who wouldn't even watch games but he loves it. He loves the Arsenal, he loves playing for Arsenal."