Following a whirlwind weekend of Premier League chaos, it was the name of youngster Max Dowman was the name on everybody’s lips and Wayne Rooney has explained why his last-gasp goal is ‘underrated’.
Arsenal oversaw a 2-0 home win over Everton on Saturday thanks to a late surge of goals against David Moyes’ side.
Viktor Gyokeres was on hand to give the Gunners the lead in the 89th minute but it was Max Dowman who put the finishing touches on a very important victory.
What made Arsenal’s win taste that little sweeter was the fact that Manchester City drop points in their 1-1 draw with West Ham United, opening up the gap at the top of the league to nine points.
Wayne Rooney waxes poetic about Dowman’s late goal vs Everton
On Saturday, Dowman broke the record to become the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 16 years and 72 days old, overtaking Rooney (fourth in the list) in the process.
With Mikel Arteta’s side struggling to break down a resolute Everton, the Spanish tactician called upon the teenager’s services.
Arsenal searching for a goal, he replaced central midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Jordan Pickford was up for an Everton corner and Dowman had the pleasure of tucking the ball into an empty net, though he still had two defenders to beat in the process.
Watch Dowman’s 97th-minute goal vs Everton below:
After the match, Rooney was speaking on BBC Match of the Day about the importance of the 16-year-old’s last-gasp goal in the title race – especially as City slipped up hours later.
“There’s been a lot of talk about him this season, to come into the Arsenal team at 16 and juggle that with his GCSEs and to score,” he said.
“It looks like a simple goal, but it was actually good play to take two players on and have the composure was very good. It’s so exciting for the Arsenal fans!
There was a moment when he looked around to see the space, but he knew. What was so good was that you could feel everyone, the coaches, the fans, ‘Please go and score a goal,’ and he does.”
Arteta’s youth revolution continues, Dowman is the beneficiary
There was a time when Arteta was criticised for not trusting in the exuberance of youth. Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven have both moved to Manchester United in recent years, thus raising eyebrows over whether the Spaniard had become too stubborn.
In his eyes, he has to silverware to be considered the right man for the job – and this season is when he’s proved doubters wrong.
He’s used Max Dowman as and when he’s been needed and his recent decision to leave Gabriel Jesus on the bench (and bring on the youngster instead) has paid dividends.
| Position | Player | Age |
| 1. | Max Dowman | 16 years, 72 days |
| 2. | James Vaughan | 16 years, 270 days |
| 3. | James Milner | 16 years, 356 days |
| 4. | Wayne Rooney | 16 years, 360 days |
| 5. | Rio Ngumoha | 16 years, 361 days |
It was back in October 2002 when a 16-year-old Rooney scored that goal against the Gunners and it’s utterly ironic how Dowman has returned the favour.
What next for Arsenal?
Winning in such fashion is exactly what those associated with Arsenal needed: a bit of hope heading into the Premier League run-in.
It’s now theirs to lose, isn’t it?
The Gunners have commanded a nine-point gap on their nearest challengers in City and will face Pep Guardiola’s men in a crucial six-pointer on April 19.
Read More: Max Dowman compared to Kaka but given Ravel Morrison warning
In the meantime, they host Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their Round of 16 Champions League encounter this week before the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
