“Future so bright”: Rooney backs Max Dowman for success at Arsenal

Overview

• Wayne Rooney has praised Arsenal youngster Max Dowman.
• He made his Premier League debut for the Gunners in their 5-0 win over Leeds.
• Thus, he became the second-youngest player to represent Arsenal.

Former England and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has praised Arsenal youngster Max Dowman. The 15-year-old made his English Premier League debut for the Gunners in their 5-0 win over Leeds, becoming the second-youngest player to represent Arsenal.

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Speaking on his BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, the former United striker said Dowman’s future looks extremely promising.

"To play at that age in the Premier League is crazy. I know I played when I was young, but I think he's like 150 days younger than I was, or more. For Max and his family and friends, I'm sure they're all living in a dream and a fairytale and it probably hasn't hit home yet. But you can see his future is so bright, he is going to have a massive future. Everyone you speak to in football, the same name keeps coming back: Max Dowman," Rooney said.

"Max Dowman looks like a very level-headed lad" - Rooney

However, Rooney also noted that dealing with fame at such a young age will be a challenge, though he believes Dowman has the maturity to handle it.

"It's surreal. It's so strange that one minute you're in the youth team and the next you're in the first-team dressing room with some of your heroes. It's something you really need to get used to quickly because it can be overwhelming. Max Dowman looks like a very level-headed lad from everything I've seen and you hope he manages to deal with it and understands what's coming his way very soon," he added.

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Dowman played an impressive 26-minute cameo against Leeds, winning a penalty that Arsenal’s new striker Victor Gyökeres converted from the spot.