Arsenal defeated Slavia Praha 3-0 in the Champions League with goals from Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino as one Gunners star made history in the European competition
Max Dowman ahead of Slavia Prague vs Arsenal
Max Dowman ahead of Slavia Prague vs Arsenal(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal starlet Max Dowman made history against Slavia Praha. The 15-year-old became the youngest ever player to feature in the Champions League and was named a 'miracle' by the Gunners' opposition.
The Hale End product has already become the second youngest Premier League player ever and Arsenal's youngest ever starter after being named in Mikel Arteta's lineup for their Carabao Cup win over Brighton. Dowman's latest record came as he made his European debut off the bench as he replaced Jurrien Timber.
Arsenal were already three goals to the good as the Gunners earned three points in Prague. At just 15 years and 308 days, Dowman surpassed Youssoufa Moukoko's record, who debuted for Borussia Dortmund at 16 years and 18 days.
And Dowman showed he had the talent to match his achievement, leaving opposition players in awe. Defender David Zima attempted to explain how far ahead of the curve Dowman is.
"The difference is in how the players are approached," he said. "Of course, there are many more footballers in England, it’s a bigger country and every now and then a miracle player is born.
"There are some physical flaws but I looked completely different at fifteen. This is actually a grown-up player when you see him on the pitch."
Zima's captain Lukas Provod never suspected Dowman was just 15. "I know which player it was, but I had no idea he was fifteen years old," he said.
"And hats off to him for making it here in Eden – the youngest player in the Champions League in history. I will be watching him and I believe he will only grow."
Max Dowman
Max Dowman impressed his opponents
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Slavia head coach, Jindrich Trpisovsky, could only tip his hat to the Gunners and also express that Dowman looked a player well beyond his years. "It definitely is but if you see him on the field, you wouldn’t say that," he said.
"He had resilience, for example in a duel at the line, of course the substitute player is always fresher and has more strength, but he withstood big things. His technique is great.
"At 15 years old, he is an incredible extreme at this level. For Arsenal, another great player, who will be produced from their own incubator to the top level. Which is the hardest thing in a big club."
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