Gary Lineker left raving about Max Dowman as Arsenal star answers his prayers

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Gary Lineker has showered Max Dowman with praise following his goal for Arsenal against Everton in the Premier League encounter at the weekend, with the former England striker 'crying out' for Gunners' players to penetrate the penalty area. At just 16 years old and 73 days, Dowman is held in high regard despite his tender age.

He became the youngest scorer in both the club's and Premier League history following his strike against the Toffees. Lineker was left raving about the teenager and reinforced comparisons with Lamine Yamal, describing Dowman as a special talent. "I mean, wow," Lineker said on the Rest Is Football Podcast .

"I was saying at the time, it was one of those when you could say, 'I was there'. It was almost his Rooney moment. We've known about him for some time, his reputation is good, we've seen him come on, we saw him in the cup and he played really well - probably the best player on the pitch.

"This was a big game, he came on and made the difference. A brilliant cross for the first goal, all game I was crying out for people to get the ball into the box and something may happen, rather than keep turning it over, down the left and then back down the right. But he came on and put in a Lamine Yamal cross, Pickford made, for him, a rare error.

"And then that moment was very special at the end when Pickford went up for a corner, it broke away and it built, he had the awareness to head the ball away, turned away and ran. Everyone knew it was going to be a goal and everyone was cheering before he put it in. What a talent. The youngest player to ever score."

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Fellow podcast host Micah Richards took it a step further, declaring Dowman is destined to become a superstar. The former Man City defender explained: "You know when someone's special when they make decisions earlier than a normal player at that age would make and the timings of the decisions.

"He knows when to pass, shoot, cross, dribble for his goal and his footwork for the goal, he sent me! I thought he was going left, that little shimmy to the left and then the right foot to take it.

"Working with Wayne tonight [on MOTD 2], we had success early in our careers and I just pray that he's allowed to develop at the right rate and he doesn't have any bad injuries because he reminds me of Jack Wilshere.

"Jack Wilshere, when he burst onto the scene, we thought he was a special, special talent. Injuries hindered him massively, I just hope he stays fit and gets the required game time.

"He's up against Saka, Odegaard, Madueke and Nwaneri, who had to go out on loan. They've got competition in that area, but he's definitely a special player.

"You're always slightly wary of getting ahead of yourself, but you recognise special talent when it arrives and he looks to me the most likely since Wayne Rooney to absolutely be a superstar. I'm going to go off piece here to a different game, but Rio Nguomha, my word! You'd have Dowman on the right, the future looks bright!"

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Lineker agreed and admitted he loves watching Dowman and Liverpool winger Rio Nguomha play. "The two of them, Dowman and Ngumoha, are players we've been crying out for that will beat players, go past people and don't want to regurgitate the ball and knock it around," he added.

"These sorts of players, on occasion, it won't happen for them, but I love that, be brave enough and hopefully they'll continue to be encouraged to attack and take people on.

"That's what football fans love. It's just so exciting to see that young talent, two young English kids as well."

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