Max Downman shows up four Arsenal team-mates as senior players make feelings clear

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Max Dowman showed he belonged in the Arsenal team despite his age during the win over Everton

Max Dowman showed some of his team-mates up, as well as making history with his sensational cameo against Everton.

At 16 years and 73 days old, Dowman became the Premier League's youngest goalscorer as Arsenal stretched their lead at the top of the table to nine points. The youngster only came on in the 74th minute with the Gunners toiling against David Moyes's stubborn side.

However, during his time on the pitch, Dowman sent in the cross for Viktor Gyokeres' 89th-minute opener and then showed outstanding composure deep into added time to seal the points after Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford had come up for a set-piece.

But it wasn't just his goal contributions that stood out. During his 23 minutes, he had 28 touches of the ball, more than four of his team-mates who spent much longer on the pitch - Kai Havertz (61 minutes), Jurrien Timber (38 minutes), Gyokeres (36 minutes) and Gabriel Martinelli (36 minutes).

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That incredible stat underscores the faith his fellow players have in him and suggests he is ready for more regular game time. But it was his goal that will be the abiding memory of the game.

Dowman broke from the edge of Arsenal’s 18-yard box to chase down the clearance before evading Everton's remaining defenders, then sprinted up the pitch as the crowd rose in anticipation of his inevitable low, empty-net finish.

Mikel Arteta said: "It was a phenomenal moment. We talked before the game to play with that relentless desire to win every action and have the conviction that we are going to find a way to do it.

"The effort, the quality, the commitment of the players was sensational, and then it ended up in a manner that probably none of us expected. It was one of the best moments that we lived together at the Emirates."

Dowman was a few years away from even being born when James Vaughan, the previous record-holder, netted the final goal in Everton’s 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park in 2005, when the opener was scored by none other than Arteta.

Asked if the schoolboy might have made an argument for starting, Arteta replied: "Let's come down to earth today and enjoy the moment, because it was intense and it was worth it and we will see tomorrow."

The Gunners' day got even better when title rivals Man City were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham on Saturday night.