Wayne Rooney has urged Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal squad to allow teenage sensation Max Dowman to enjoy his breakthrough moment after the youngster became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.
Dowman made headlines on Saturday after scoring in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
The goal saw the 16-year-old write his name into the record books at 16 years and 73 days old, making him the youngest player ever to score in the English top flight.
The youngster sealed the victory with virtually the final kick of the match, producing a memorable solo run from inside his own half before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
His achievement also drew comparisons with Rooney himself, who famously scored for Everton against Arsenal in 2002 at the age of 16 years and 360 days.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show on the BBC, the former Manchester United striker urged Arsenal to help the youngster remain grounded while still enjoying the moment.
“Let him enjoy it and go and express himself,” Rooney said in quotes revealed by the Independent UK.
“Mikel Arteta and some of the senior players in the Arsenal squad will not let him get ahead of himself.
“But I think you have to enjoy it as well. When you’ve got a young lad like that coming through as a 16-year-old, he’s clearly got a lot of ability and you just hope he can go and fulfil that potential.”
Dowman’s goal secured an important win for Arsenal as they moved nine points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, although the defending champions still have a game in hand.
The teenager could yet play a role in the closing stages of the campaign with Arsenal competing on multiple fronts.
Arteta’s side will next face Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash following a 1-1 draw in Germany.
After that, the Gunners will turn their attention to the EFL Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, where they will be hoping to secure the first piece of silverware of their season.
