Mikel Arteta believes Max Dowman’s emergence has inspired the rest of Arsenal’s players and will benefit their quest for silverware this season.
Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history after coming on as a substitute in the 2‑0 win against Everton on Saturday. Arsenal stretched their lead at the top of the table over Manchester City to nine points.
The 16-year-old, who became the youngest player to appear in the Champions League when facing Slavia Prague during the league stage in November, is likely to be on the bench again for the second leg of their last-16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen despite the continued absence of Martin Ødegaard. Arteta hopes that the Norway midfielder will return for the Carabao Cup final against City on Sunday.
Asked whether some of Dowman’s youthful enthusiasm could rub off on a squad that has played 48 games this season in the chase for an unprecedented quadruple, Arteta said: “That’s a good point. It’s very inspiring when you see someone almost naive making decisions and flowing and careless playing in that manner. It’s great.
“Probably our players realised as well. It’s a good example, playing with that flow and enthusiasm is very beneficial for the team.”
On Dowman’s goal, Riccardo Calafiori said: “I was so, so happy. Maybe the best moment of the season so far, at least in Premier League for sure. He’s so young, but at the same time so mature on the pitch. He can improve many things, but he’s a talent. You can see it. But we have to leave him quiet and try not to speak about him too much because he has everything.”
Wayne Rooney, who previously held the record for the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer, has questioned whether Dowman’s GCSE commitments could prevent him from playing regularly for Arsenal’s first team during the title run-in. While Arteta is keen to protect his rising star despite speculation that he could emerge as a contender for England World Cup squad, he praised Dowman for taking everything in his stride.
“I didn’t expect that kind of goal, but his attitude and his decision making, yes. If not I wouldn’t have made the decision to play him,” Arteta said. “But then to be that precise and deliver the moment that he delivered, that’s something difficult to imagine. He is knocking on the door at 16, saying: ‘I am good enough and I can impact this team whenever it is needed.’ And he is doing it when he is playing.”
Asked whether Dowman could be a contender for England in the summer, Arteta said: “Let’s go game by game, please.”