David Seaman has compared Arsenal teenager Max Dowman to Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, backing the 'talented' youngster to have a big season. The former Gunners goalkeeper, who worked with Dowman in the club's academy, made the comparison during an interview with talkSPORT.
Record-breaking season for Dowman
Dowman became the youngest player in Champions League history at 15 years and 308 days old, and later became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history and the youngest Premier League champion. The teenager has already made 13 first-team appearances and is expected to play a bigger role this campaign after featuring heavily in pre-season.
Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday before starting their Premier League title defence next Friday against Coventry City. Several key players have only recently returned to training following the World Cup, which could open the door for youngsters like Dowman to start.
Seaman's high praise
'He's top, he really is top,' Seaman told talkSPORT. 'He came through with us and then all last season he trained with the first-team. When you see him off the pitch he looks like a 16-year-old, but when you see him on the pitch he looks like a man that's been there for a long time with a lot of talent.'
'I remember Bryan Robson telling me about Ryan Giggs when he was young and coming through. In Max – so long as he can stay away from injuries – we've got somebody that's just as good as that.'
Giggs won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, and four FA Cups with Manchester United over a 23-year career.
Future looks bright for Arsenal
Seaman also addressed speculation that Myles Lewis-Skelly could leave the Emirates, with reports claiming Arsenal have offered him to Manchester United and Chelsea. 'I don't think he wants to go,' Seaman said. 'You see how much passion he's got for the club. He's been at the club since he was eight, he's a boyhood fan. Nobody wants to see him leave.'
Seaman, who has coached Arsenal's under-18s and under-21s for about four or five years, recalled watching Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, and Dowman come through the ranks. 'Watching these guys train and then in the restaurant afterwards, they got their school uniform on because they went back to school! It was just so strange!'
He added: 'So, they've been at the club for a long, long time and I still think Mikel's got a lot of trust in him. Obviously, he has because he put him in the Champions League final. It was a massive game for us and he trusted him then and he was probably the best player for Arsenal.'
