Arsenal star Max Dowman was key as the Gunners claimed a vital win over Everton in the Premier League title race
Max Dowman of Arsenal
Max Dowman helped Arsenal earn a crucial win in the Premier League(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Arsenal youngster Max Dowman emerged as the hero as the Gunners took a major stride towards securing the Premier League title on Saturday. The 16-year-old was brought on from the bench in the 74th minute and proved instrumental in guiding the side to a 2-0 victory over Everton.
Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring in the 89th minute but it was Dowman who captured the headlines as the club edged closer to claiming league winners' medals. The midfielder capitalised on goalkeeper Jordan Pickford advancing for a late Everton corner, breaking clear and slotting the ball into an unguarded net, becoming the youngest goalscorer of the Premier League era.
The outcome, coupled with Manchester City's subsequent draw with West Ham United, means Arsenal now hold a nine-point advantage at the summit, albeit having played a match more. With their title challengers faltering, Mikel Arteta is moving closer to ending the Gunners' title drought but teenage sensation Dowman still has some ground to cover to guarantee he receives a medal.
The club that wins the Premier League receives 40 medals in total. The rules stipulate that every player who has made five or more appearances in the competition must be given a medal.
However, Dowman has only featured three times in the league so far this term. The teenager will hope to feature in two of the team's remaining seven fixtures to meet the five-game threshold.
While that's how the majority are usually handed out, the league winners are free to allocate any remaining medals as they see fit. Should Arsenal hold on to first place, it would be standard practice for Arteta and other coaching personnel to be given one.
Players who fail to reach five appearances can also receive the silverware, though this remains at the club's discretion. Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri would still qualify, having featured in six league matches prior to his January loan switch to Marseille.
Dowman could be utilised more regularly as Arsenal remain in four competitions. The Premier League pacesetters will start their preparations for Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Bayer Leverkusen before taking on City in next weekend's Carabao Cup final.
Arteta will trust his squad can handle the pressures as the side enter the closing stages of the season. Both Gyokeres and Dowman found the net after coming off the bench against Everton, highlighting the Gunners' squad depth.
Max Dowman of Arsenal
Dowman will hope to feature more frequently before the end of the Premier League campaign(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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When asked what he'd told Dowman before bringing him on, the Arsenal manager replied: "Go and do your thing and win us the game. The same to Viktor and to [Gabriel] Martinelli, when something special has to happen."
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said of Dowman's strike: "It was a great moment, especially the way the goal was built up, and we had like 10-15 seconds to really enjoy it.
"We knew the goal was about to happen, and it was magical, all the bench and all the players together, jumping off into the crowd. It was a beautiful day."
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