Arsenal's teenage sensation Max Dowman has been compared to Lionel Messi by Chelsea legend John Terry after becoming the youngest scorer in Premier League history at 16 years and 73 days. Dowman scored a stoppage-time breakaway goal in Arsenal's win over Everton on Saturday, sealing the record previously held by his fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri.
John Terry, speaking on TikTok, said: 'Max Dowman, what a player by the way, 16 years of age, absolutely incredible. I watched him play against Chelsea about a year ago and I’ve not seen anyone glide past people like this man does, other than Messi. That’s a big, big comparison but this man is a proper talent and will play a big part in Arsenal’s future and also England as well.'
Dowman, who made his Premier League debut earlier this season, has impressed with his composure and confidence. Arsenal teammate Viktor Gyokeres praised him: 'When you see him play, you don't think that he's 16. You don't think about it when he has the ball with the composure and the confidence he plays with. It's incredible - to see him score that goal was amazing.'
Manager Mikel Arteta added: 'He doesn't seem to be fazed by the occasion or the moment or the context or the opponent. He just plays so naturally.' Dowman is the second-youngest player to represent Arsenal and the second-youngest to play in the Premier League, behind Nwaneri.
