Late penalty from Martin Odegaard guaranteed a remarkable 3-2 victory for Arsenal versus Newcastle in Singapore. But Max Dowman stole all the attention with a breathtaking cameo.
At the hour mark, Dowman joined the game and provided flair and energy on the field. Cutting in sharply from the right after replacing Bukayo Saka, he made daring runs and almost scored twice.
Then came his great opportunity. A strong surge ahead pushed Joelinton into a foul that caused the Gunners’ winning penalty.
The academy starlet’s electrifying performance was culminated by this goal. Afterward Mikel Arteta was complimentary.
“It’s special,” remarked Arteta. “What he’s done today against this team in the time that he had on the pitch, it’s certainly not common to witness from a 15-year-old. We are extremely lucky to have him.”
He added: “The environment that is around him – his family, the people at the club and around the academy as well are super helpful because they put him in this position so early in his journey.
“He’s having a real chance and a real presence when he plays for the first team.”
Viktor Gyokeres, who was introduced before kick-off after his £63.5 million transfer to Arsenal, was eclipsed by Dowman’s performance. Still, everyone was looking at the little kid by fulltime.
The Emirates’ academy keeps shining, and the 15-year-old might be their next major star.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
