Mikel Arteta believes that 16-year-old Max Dowman’s youthfulness can rub off on his Arsenal team and inspire them in their pursuit of trophies.
The teenage sensation produced a dazzling cameo against Everton on Saturday, helping set up the first goal for Viktor Gyokeres before scoring a breakaway second to secure three precious points in the Premier League title race.
It made Dowman the league’s youngest-ever scorer aged 16 years, 73 days, and has catapulted him into the headlines.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Bayer Leverkusen – with the sides level at 1-1 – Arteta said: ‘I think it’s very inspiring when you see someone almost naive making decisions and flowing and careless playing in that manner, in that context. It’s great.
‘And I think probably our players realised as well. It’s a good example, playing with that flow and enthusiasm is actually very beneficial for the team.’
The youngster has recently featured in an adidas advert with Ian Wright and was compared to Lionel Messi by Arteta himself in January.
The Spaniard is now, though, in protection mode and wants to shield the youngster.
‘I need your help with that, guys,’ he said. ‘So if we just bring the temperature down and understand what is the best thing for this boy at his age.
‘He’s doing something phenomenal. We all know that. Let’s keep it down a little bit and respect his nature to do what he has to do, which I’m sure is going to be something really good.’
Max Dowman back in training on Monday before the Champions League clash with Leverkusen
Riccardo Calafiori, meanwhile, believes his heroic goal-saving scorpion kick against Everton is a sign that Arsenal will go on to win major silverware this season.
The Italian blocked Dwight McNeil’s strike off the line on Saturday against Everton with a stunning piece of improvisation which David Moyes later said was ‘unbelievable’.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 second leg tie against Bayer Leverkusen, he said: ‘I think so far, yeah, it’s the best (block of my career) and also I think it was so important for the result and for the team. I’m really happy.
‘I believe that with these small things, big things normally happen, something big is going to happen. That’s what I think.’
The defender also hailed Dowman’s Saturday-night heroics.
Calafiori said: ‘I was so, so happy at the end of the game — especially with the second goal. We were all happy, we ran towards him and the fans.
‘It was almost a fight with the fans — in a nice way, obviously! It was amazing. Maybe the best moment of the season so far, at least in the Premier League, for sure.’
