Mikel Merino has admitted that he sees similarities between Arsenal youngster Max Dowman and Lamine Yamal
Max Dowman has been compared to Lamine Yamal by Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino
Max Dowman has been compared to Lamine Yamal by Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Max Dowman shares similarities with World Cup-winning superstar Lamine Yamal, according to Arsenal and Spain midfielder Mikel Merino.
Dowman scored twice and even claimed a cheeky assist in the 4-2 win away at Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.
The 16-year-old was getting his first taste of senior action this season and has needed to be patient with the depth available to Mikel Arteta in the attack, but at the first opportunity, he has again shown just how special he is.
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“Honestly, he is an unbelievable talent,” Merino said after he too scored in the Carabao Cup win, and set up Noni Madueke’s goal.
“We knew it, but every time he goes on the pitch and plays against grown men - even being 16 or 17 - he makes the difference. He is a big talent and we have to take care of him. We have to keep pushing him.
“He needs to keep learning - eyes and ears open always. There is still big room for improvement in a lot of areas, and he knows that. So we are going to be by his side trying to get him to his best level.”
Dowman has been compared to some of the greatest players to have lived but the most modern comparison has naturally fallen to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
The Barcelona talisman broke through at 16 in 2023, scoring seven goals and earning nine assists with 50 appearances across all competitions.
The likelihood is that Dowman will struggle to match such figures this season, although Merino was keen to touch on the importance of maintaining humanity in these young stars, keeping their feet firmly on the ground where possible.
“It is a thin line,” Merino explained. “It is very difficult to have equilibrium sometimes with him, because obviously, you want him to shine and you want him to express himself and show everyone the talent that he has.
“But, at the same time, you have to sometimes remind them that they are human beings and they are part of a bigger squad and team.
“The good thing with these kinds of players - Lamine and Max - is that they are special talents, but at the same time, they are very humble. They are always keen to learn and listen to the veterans. That is priceless.
“So we are very happy to have him, but at the same time, he knows that we are here to help him. And, sometimes, even if we push him a little bit, he knows it’s for his own good. He is a very good kid.”
What has struck viewers the most is Dowman’s confidence and lack of fear when taking on Premier League-level opponents.
This pure absence of stage fright is the key similarity Merino believes the Arsenal starlet shares with his World Cup winning superstar teammate.
“I would say there are some similarities in terms of their character,” Merino said of Dowman and Yamal.
“They don’t care about the spotlight. They thrive when pressure is at its highest. They are always up for the challenge, and they are not shy at all - even facing the biggest names in the game. So, they are very similar.”