"He carries the ball, he's quicker with the ball. He's like Messi. I remember playing against Messi - when he was off the ball he's not quick. Maybe it's because I was quicker than most," Walcott said. "When he had the ball he would just glide past people, glide past me with ease. [Dowman's] got that, he's got the stop-start. "What's really fascinating is that [Arsenal manager] Mikel Arteta will allow him to do that because that's his strength."
"Dowman made his first appearance at Emirates Stadium on Saturday at just 15 years and 234 days, becoming the second-youngest player in Premier League history, slightly older than fellow Gunner Ethan Nwaneri, who was 54 days younger when he debuted in 2022. He is only the third player ever to appear in the Premier League before turning 16, joining Nwaneri (15 years, 181 days) and Leicester City's Jeremy Monga (15 years, 271 days)."
Max Dowman, aged 15 years and 234 days, made his Emirates Stadium debut in Arsenal's 5-0 victory over Leeds United. He entered the match in the 64th minute, attempted two shots, completed three dribbles, won five of seven duels, and earned a stoppage-time penalty converted by Viktor Gyokeres. Dowman is the third player to appear in the Premier League before turning 16. Theo Walcott compared Dowman's ball-carrying and stop-start dribbling to Lionel Messi and noted that Mikel Arteta permits the youngster the freedom to exploit that strength.
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