Mikel Arteta hailed Max Dowman’s rapid transition to senior football as special following Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Newcastle.
The Gunners continued their preparations ahead of the new season with a narrow victory against Premier League opposition courtesy of captain Martin Odegaard’s decisive goal.
The Norway international converted from the spot after Dowman, who was introduced as a second half substitute, fell under a clumsy challenge from Joelinton.
Dowman had earlier stunned fans with a sensational solo run that would’ve yielded a brilliant goal were it not for a the superb save made by Nick Pope.
Arsenal fans have long been aware of the 15-year-old’s talent but after his encouraging cameo against Milan earlier this week, supporters are now convinced the playmaker is worthy of featuring at first team level this season.
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Indeed, after another superb slaloming run, some Arsenal followers were suggesting they had unearthed the new Lionel Messi.
‘What I also find so impressive about this Max Dowman dribble is how he gets straight back up despite winning a penalty,’ one fan said on X. ‘This was something I ADORED from Messi. He always wanted to go. Hopefully this is a sign of something to come from Max.’
‘Lionel Messi is not as good as Dowman when he was 15yrs old,’ said another excited fan. ‘What a star we have in our hands.’
Even the usually cautious Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, struggled to hide his enthusiasm in his post match press conference.
He said: ‘Yeah, it is special.
‘Obviously what he’s done today against this team in the time that he had on the pitch is something certainly not common to witness for a 15-year-old.
‘We are extremely happy to have him. I think again the environment that he’s around in.
‘His family, the people at the club and around the academy as well, super helpful because they put him into this position so early in his journey, having a real chance and a real presence when he plays for the first time.’
