Jack Wilshere has tipped Arsenal's 15-year-old prodigy Max Dowman to reach the very top, claiming the teenager is already five years ahead of his time. The former Arsenal academy coach, now in charge at Luton Town, worked closely with Dowman and remembers bringing him on for the under-18s when he was just 13.
Wilshere recalled a specific match against Southampton: 'We were 2-0 up and I said to my assistant: "Let's get Max on the pitch." I stood next to him and he was already taller than me! I told him not to get into duels, just to pop it round. He came on, ran around three players, squared it and we scored. I'd never seen this before.'
The former England international insists Dowman is a better prospect than he was at the same age. '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. He loves Arsenal, he loves playing for Arsenal.'
Wilshere also highlighted the importance of Dowman's family and the influence of Declan Rice as a role model. 'What better role model for him to be with every day than Dec. I was at West Ham when Dec was coming through and I know how important Mark Noble was. I can see him moulding into that role.'
Reflecting on his own career, Wilshere said he looked up to Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal and John Terry with England. 'Cesc led by example, gave me little chats and helped me. One of my biggest regrets was that he left because we only played a year together.'
