ARSENAL fans rejoiced as their latest wonderkid became the Uefa Youth League’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
The Gunners were dealt an almighty blow on Wednesday when captain Martin Odegaard was ruled out for “a while” with an ankle injury.
GettyMax Dowman scored for Arsenal in their Uefa Youth League tie at Atalanta[/caption]
GettyThe attacking midfielder struck aged just 14 years, eight months and 19 days[/caption]
But on Thursday, there was plenty of reason for celebration.
That is because teenage star Max Dowman was on the scoresheet for the Arsenal Under-19s away at Atalanta.
And in doing so, he broke the record as the youngest player to find the net in the competition.
England U17 international Dowman was aged just 14 years, eight months and 19 days when he fired home from a cross.
The attacking midfielder – born on December 31, 2009 – broke the previous record held by Borussia Dortmund sensation Youssoufa Moukoko, who was 14 years, 11 months and three days at the time of his first Youth League goal.
They are the only two players to have struck in the U19s tournament – a youth version of the Champions League.
Among the other youngest goalscorers is Ryan Gravenberch.
The Liverpool midfielder was just 15 years, four months and ten days old when he fired home for Ajax.
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But Dowman’s effort bumps him out of the top five down to sixth on the list.
According to Scouted, Dowman also became the youngest-ever starter in the Youth League and second-youngest debutant against Atalanta.
And fans were quick to heap praise on the teenager for his impressive exploits.
One said: “Spectacular talent.”
Another wrote: “A proper baller.”
A third commented: “Max Dowman is truly a rising star! Excited to see what the future holds for him and the Arsenal academy!”
A fourth typed: “Another incoming wonderkid from Hale End.”
A fifth labelled him “Talent of the Century”.
A fifth added: “You just know he’s gonna be the youngest player starting for us in the premier league. I see him getting his debut within the next two years.”
And a final user replied: “He is following in the footsteps of Ethan Nwaneri.”
Nwaneri became the Premier League’s youngest player when he came on for the Gunners against Brentford in 2022.
The schoolkid was just 15 years and 181 days old when he made his senior debut in West London – and is now part of the first-team set-up under Mikel Arteta.
So much so that he was brought on in the closing minutes for Arsenal in Sunday’s North London Derby win at Tottenham to help see out victory.
However, despite Dowman’s success against Atalanta today, Arsenal supporters will be hoping there is no repeat of the scoreline when the senior sides face off in the Champions League.
The junior Italians ran out comfortable 4-1 winners – racing into a 3-0 lead by half-time before Dowman pulled one back early in the second and then the home side grabbed a fourth late on.
GettyThere are high hopes for the playmaker[/caption]
GettyDowman will hope to follow in the footsteps of Ethan Nwaneri[/caption]
GettyDowman is already an England U17s international[/caption]