Arsenal

Ex-England striker Wayne Rooney has praised Max Dowman's impact after the Arsenal winger became the Premier League's youngest goalscorer - but wonders if the 16-year-old might have to focus on his GCSEs for the rest of the season.

The teenager scored in a 2-0 win over Everton that helped the Gunners move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Rooney was once the Premier League's youngest scorer when he netted for Everton against Arsenal in 2002.

"He has got his GCSEs and his education, I'm sure for him and his family, is important as well," he said on The Wayne Rooney Show.

"What an opportunity for him to be around the squad. He could be a Premier League winner when he's still finishing school off.

"He's got an aura and a belief about him and it was the same against Everton. If it's education first, I don't think we'll see much of him over the next few weeks."

Rooney added: "He won't be in as much as he'd probably like, but then you've got many years ahead of you."

"He seems, from the games I've watched, to not let that pressure affect him because he gets the ball, he holds on to it, he commits defenders, he goes to take them on, and so he definitely looks like he's got a confidence about him.

"Mikel Arteta, some of the senior players in the Arsenal squad, will not let him get ahead of himself. But I think you have to enjoy it as well."

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Alex Howell
Football reporter

Saturday's match with Everton looked like it was going to be a frustrating day at the office for the Gunners, who appeared to be set to miss their chance to extend their lead over Manchester City at the top of the league.

Their attack was not quite clicking and in the first half Arsenal were denied a penalty when Kai Havertz tangled with Michael Keane in the penalty area.

But with the scores level, Mikel Arteta turned to 16-year-old Max Dowman, alongside £64m summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, and the youngster turned the game in his side's favour.

Dowman took the ball in dangerous areas and did not look fazed with the situation of the game as he tried to take on defenders at will.

He played a huge part in the opening goal as it was his cross that Jordan Pickford misjudged before Gyokeres tapped the ball in.

Then Dowman himself stole the show when he beat two defenders while Pickford was up for an Everton corner as they chased an equaliser - and the teenager rolled the ball into the net to spark wild celebrations.

"It was a great moment," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Especially the way the goal built up and we had 10-15 seconds to really enjoy what was about to happen.

"It was magical. On the bench and all the players together, jumping with the crowd. It was a beautiful day.

"It is not only the goal that he scored, [Dowman] changed the game. Every time he got the ball, he makes things happen and we are more of a threat.

"To do that at that age, in this context, with the pressure, the expectations to win the game - it's just not normal."

Arteta - who has spoken of Dowman's talents all season - was not surprised about the youngster's showing during the vital win in the title race and said the way the 16-year-old had trained this week gave him a "gut feeling".

"It's so organic for him, he doesn't feel the pressure. He goes, gets the ball, stops on the ball," Arteta said.

"It's natural for him, that's the best thing, so just make sure he does what he feels.

"When you have such a talent then I'm sure good things are going to happen. What we do is to create memories and create moments.

"For many years, I think people who were in the stadium today will say 'I was in the Emirates that day when that kid at 16 scored a goal at such an important stage of the season'."

Read more on how history-maker Dowman stole the show for Arsenal here

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• Sunderland 0-1 Brighton

• Burnley 0-0 Bournemouth

• Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle

• Arsenal 2-0 Everton

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

When Viktor Gyokeres tapped in what looked set to be a late winner, the Arsenal striker appeared to have secured his place in the headlines.

But that was before 16-year-old Max Dowman made history and put the icing on the cake of a crucial - and nervy - Arsenal win.

Dowman has been highly regarded for some time and has been training with the Gunners' first team since he was 14.

He was one of the standout players in Arsenal's pre-season tour and is the youngest player to start for the club - against Brighton in the Carabao Cup - while he also became the youngest player to feature for the Gunners in the FA Cup when he put in an excellent performance against Mansfield.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hinted at comparisons between Dowman's talent and Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players in history.

And the fact Arteta turned to Dowman with this game goalless as he looked to try to break down the Toffees shows how highly he rates the youngster.

The teenage winger also played a key part in Gyokeres' goal - it was his cross which Pickford failed to claim, before the ball struck Piero Hincapie and rolled across to the Sweden striker who could not miss.

Dowman then put the game to bed in the seventh minute of added time, having jinked past two Everton defenders on the halfway line and slotted into the empty net.

His impact after coming on in the 74th minute surely means Arteta will not hesitate to use him again in the Gunners' upcoming matches.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports, on Max Dowman: "It was a great moment. Especially the way the goal built up and we had 10-15 seconds to really enjoy what was about to happen!

"It was magical. On the bench and all the players together, jumping with the crowd. It was a beautiful day.

"It is not only the goal that he scored, he changed the game. Every time he got the ball, he makes things happen and we are more of a threat. To do that at that age, in this context with the pressure, the expectations to win the game, it's just not normal.

"It's so organic for him, he doesn't feel the pressure. He goes, gets the ball, stops on the ball. It's natural for him, that's the best thing, so just make sure he does what he feels.

"When you have such a talent then I'm sure good things are going to happen."

On instructions to Dowman and Gyokeres: "The impact that the finishers are having this season is remarkable.

"Everybody is important, everybody is adding to the team and there are moments that we have to be patient because with all the dominance and the shots when you don't score, the anxiety is building.

"You have to stay composed and be relentless in your desire to make something happen and the team really had that spirit today."

On Gyokeres' impact: "He does so many good things for the team and today he scored a massive goal. You have to be in the right spot at the right moment."

On the title race: "Job done from our side. The performance in many situations was very, very good. What we are doing every three days, the players deserve a lot of credit.

"What we do is create memories and create moments. For many years, I think people who were in the stadium today will say 'I was in the Emirates that day when that kid at 16 scored a goal at such an important stage of the season'."

Did you know?

• At 16 years and 73 days, Arsenal's Max Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

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Mikel Arteta rotates his squad after Arsenal's trip to play Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Kai Havertz starts up top while Noni Madueke looks to be starting from the left wing. Riccardo Calafiori also comes in for Piero Hincapie at left back.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Madueke, Eze, Saka, Havertz

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Jesus, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman

Everton make two changes, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski both out. Michael Keane starts alongside Jake O'Brien at centre-back with James Garner in at right-back.

Everton starting XI: Pickford, Garner, O'Brien, Keane, Mykolenko, Gana, Iroegbunam, McNeil, Dewsbury-hall, Ndiaye, Beto

Subs: Travers, Dibling, Coleman, Patterson, Barry, George, Rohl, Aznou, Armstrong

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The family of former Arsenal academy graduate Billy Vigar will attend the Gunners' Premier League match against Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Vigar died at the age of 21 when he suffered a "significant brain injury" in September, when it is thought he collided with a wall while playing for Chichester City at Wingate and Finchley.

The Football Association announced a review of perimeter walls at football grounds in the National League system after his death.

Vigar was a graduate of the Arsenal academy, leaving the club in 2024, and also had spells at Derby County, Eastbourne Borough and Hastings United.

Vigar's family will be in attendance of the match as guests of Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker.