Jack Wilshere has revealed that he was left amazed by Max Dowman while working with the teenager in the Arsenal academy.
Wilshere coached Dowman during his development at Arsenal, before the teenager’s first-team breakthrough last season. Dowman became the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer after netting against Everton last season, and the youngest-ever winner of the Premier League title.
The 16-year-old has caught the eye again this season, including a brace in Arsenal’s EFL Cup win at Ipswich Town.
Wilshere was discussing Dowman during the latest episode of Stick to Football, and revealed how the winger handled the step up in age groups with ease.
“I said, ‘Look, Max, you’re playing against players that are five years older than you here. Like, don’t get into a duel. Like, one or two touch, move it around.’ and he’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah’.
“He picked up the ball, dribbled around five players, squared it, and we were 3-0 up. I looked at my assistant, and I’d never seen anything like it. Physically, his numbers were a joke. They were Premier League level, and he was like 14.”
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