Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman compared to Lamine Yamal by Mikel Merino
· Yahoo Sports
Arsenal and Spain midfielder Mikel Merino believes Max Dowman shares characteristics with World Cup-winning sensation Lamine Yamal.
Dowman netted twice and added a cheeky assist during Tuesday's 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town on the road. The 16-year-old was experiencing his first senior minutes of the campaign and has had to remain patient given the attacking options at Mikel Arteta's disposal, but when given his chance, he's demonstrated once more just how exceptional his talent 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, via football.london. "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.
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"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 drawn comparisons to some of soccer's all-time greats, but the most contemporary parallel has naturally been drawn to Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.
The Barcelona star broke into the first team at 16 in 2023, registering seven goals and providing nine assists across 50 appearances in all competitions. The reality is that Dowman may find it challenging to replicate those numbers this campaign, though Merino was eager to emphasize the significance of preserving humility in these emerging talents, ensuring they stay grounded whenever feasible.
"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.
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"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 captivated observers the most is Dowman's self-assurance and complete fearlessness when confronting Premier League-caliber opposition.
This total absence of nerves represents the primary parallel Merino sees between the Arsenal prodigy and his World Cup champion colleague.
"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."