Jermaine Pennant’s name was plastered over the back of the newspapers when he netted a hat-trick on his debut for Arsenal against Southampton at Highbury – and he’s given Max Dowman some words of advice as the teen sensation begins to find his feet under Mikel Arteta.
A moment to remember, Pennant spent much of his Gunners career finding his feet on loan at other clubs such as Liverpool and Stoke City.
All in all, he chalked up 26 times Arsenal but he ultimately struggled to make the grade at the capital club.
Nottingham-born Pennant, speaking to ReadArsenal via Gambling.com where you can find the best UK slots, spoke about all things Arsenal – from the utter brilliance of Dowman to the criticism of the table-topping Gunners.
Anti-football Arsenal? Jermaine Pennant’s take
When asked about the narrative that Arsenal are too reliant on set-pieces, Pennant said: “It’s a tough one because you want Arsenal, who are one of the best teams, to play attractive football to win games and not to rely on set-pieces. But, at the end of the day, set-pieces are part of football.
“They’re there for a reason so if you can utilise them to your advantage, then why not?,” he said before claiming it’s up to opposition teams to thwart Arsenal’s threat from set-piece situations.
“They’re going to use it and it’s on teams to combat that, it’s on teams to stop that from happening.
“So, look, it’s not pleasing on the eye because you associate these kinds of tactics are to my Tony Pulis Stoke side back in the day – that’s the things we kind of used. Or Bolton with Kevin Davies.
“So you don’t really associate it with a team like Arsenal but, unfortunately, with the way the game is being played now and you’ve got teams coming to the Emirates, or when they play Arsenal and the top teams, and they play with a low block and they’ve got their striker on the edge of the 18-yard box – it’s difficult.
“Sometimes that’s difficult to break down and score against so you find another way. Another means of scoring and unfortunately Arsenal have and they’re being successful. If they win the league, they’re not going to look back and go, ‘Ah yeah but we scored by a load of corners!’. They’re going to go, ‘So what?! We’re champions!’”
Pennant’s advice for an emerging Max Dowman
“Absolutely! I know how he’s feeling,” he said referencing his own route to senior football. “He’s on cloud nine right now. He’s on top of the world and he wants more, he’s eager for more. Once you get a taste of that, you want more of it – especially scoring at the Emirates in front of your home crowd. That feeling, there’s no better feeling.
“I had the same feeling when I scored my hat-trick at Highbury. I couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t wait for the next game, thinking ‘Yeah, this is my chance now and I’m going to start seeing more game time.’”
It used to be Pennant who held the title as Arsenal’s youngest player but that is now Ethan Nwaneri’s record. Max Dowman, however, is the second-youngest as he came on in the 64th minute of their match against Leeds United.
| Position | Name | Date | Age |
| 1. | Ethan Nwaneri | 18/09/22 | 15 years, 5 months, 28 days |
| 2. | Max Dowman | 23/08/25 | 15 years, 7 months, 23 days |
| 3. | Jack Porter | 25/09/24 | 16 years, 2 months, 10 days |
| 4. | Marli Salmon | 10/12/25 | 16 years, 3 months, 11 days |
| 5. | Cesc Fabregas | 28/10/03 | 16 years, 5 months, 24 days |
| 6. | Jack Wilshere | 13/09/08 | 16 years, 8 months, 12 days |
| 7. | Jermaine Pennant | 30/11/99 | 16 years, 10 months, 15 days |
| 8. | Gerry Ward | 22/08/53 | 16 years, 10 months, 17 days |
| 9. | Paul Vaessen | 27/09/78 | 16 years, 11 months, 11 days |
| 10. | Ryan Smith | 28/10/03 | 16 years, 11 months, 18 days |
“Unfortunately, it just didn’t happen. Especially after that hat-trick, I was a bit stunned that I wasn’t getting more game time. Then, I got frustrated,” he then added.
It’s key for Dowman not to let frustration get the better of him, the retired ace stated. As a youngster at one of England’s top sides, senior minutes will not be easy to come by – but it’s all about sitting tight and pouncing when the opportunity arrives. Pennant said:
“I think, for Max, it’s now about not getting frustrated and enjoying it by taking in his stride. Take the minutes that you get; you’re still young, you’re still 16 and you’re going to be an Arsenal superstar without a shadow of a doubt. Stay professional and just bide your time.”
The Player of the Year debate – Bruno Fernandes or Declan Rice?
Much has been made of which player should be awarded the Player of the Year crown – and two names often mentioned are Declan Rice and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. On the superior footballer this year, Pennant said: “Look, I think Declan Rice should be in the conversation.
“I would say that Gabriel [Magalhaes] has probably played better than [William] Saliba and so Gabriel should be in the conversation – and obviously Bruno Fernandes. I think the Player of the Season should be awarded on individual accolades and not really what the team have done.
“When [Ruben] Amorim was in charge at Manchester United, Fernandes was still there chipping in with the goals and getting the assists. He may go on and break Thierry Henry’s record of the most assists in a Premier League season.
“So, for me, his numbers and his assists means that he’s got to be the Player of the Season. Bruno Fernandes from where United were – he’s carried that team to third in the Premier League and probably guaranteed Champions League football.
Pennant, however, did concede that the Old Trafford skipper is the most worthy recipient of the prestigious award but he didn’t rule out Rice’s influence.
“Not by a long shot as Rice has been fantastic, and so has Gabriel, but I think if we look at it as a whole and what a player has done for their team, I would probably say Fernandes. As much as that hurts me to say!” the 43-year-old concluded.
