How history-maker Dowman stole show for Arsenal
This season, he has become the youngest player ever to play in the Champions League, the youngest player to start a match for Arsenal and the youngest player to feature for the Gunners in the FA Cup too. And now, after his goal in the 2-0 win over Everton , he is the youngest scorer in Premier League history (aged 16 years and 73 days). Dowman is also the second-youngest player to represent the club and second-youngest to play in the Premier League, just behind fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri.
For those who have followed Dowman's short but exciting career, these achievements and his goalscoring heroics have come as no surprise. This is a player who has been training with the Arsenal first team since he was 14 and whose talent has received comparisons with Lionel Messi from his manager Mikel Arteta. Dowman was one of two 15-year-olds included on Arsenal 's pre-season tour of Asia - and was one of the club's most dangerous players.
He won penalties against Newcastle and Villarreal in pre-season, and continued that threat into his top-flight debut when he won a penalty against Leeds in Arsenal 's first home league game of the season. Arteta has spoken glowingly at every opportunity about Dowman's talent and has previously said he would have been "blind" not to notice it - but both manager and club have been cautious about how they manage the teenage winger. His performances have been impressive and in January it was announced that Dowman had committed his future to Arsenal by signing a pre-contract agreement that will lead to the 16-year-old England youth international signing professional terms when he turns 17 on 31 December.
Quiz: Who does Dowman join as Premier League's 10 youngest scorers? Dowman, 16, makes history as Arsenal beat Everton in late show 'I think we've got a special player on our hands' - Hart 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, Arteta turned to 16-year-old 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.