Wayne Rooney has claimed Max Dowman could miss a part of Arsenal’s title run-in due to his GCSEs.
Dowman, 16, stole the headlines on Saturday after he led the Gunners to an important 2-0 win over Everton to ship Mikel Arteta’s facet 9 factors away from Man Metropolis on the high of the desk.
The attacking midfielder, who has been coaching with Arsenal’s first crew since he was 14, helped arrange Viktor Gyokeres’ 89th-minute strike after coming off the bench, earlier than he scored on the breakaway within the seventh minute of added time.
His purpose made him the youngest scorer in Premier League historical past and a number of other pundits have heaped reward on the 16-year-old, with John Terry even evaluating him to Messi.
And Rooney, who was 16 years and 360 days previous when he scored his first Premier League purpose – making him the league’s youngest scorer at the moment – equally lauded Dowman however highlighted the balancing act he now faces over the subsequent few months.
‘What a chance for him to be across the squad,’ Rooney mentioned on The Wayne Rooney Show. ‘He may very well be a Premier League winner when he is nonetheless ending college off.
Wayne Rooney consider Max Dowman could miss a few of Arsenal’s title-run in on account of his GCSEs
Rooney was as soon as the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer when he scored for Everton in opposition to Arsenal on the age of 16 years and 360 days again in October 2002 (pictured above)
‘He is received an aura and a perception about him and it was the identical in opposition to Everton. (However) if it is training first, I do not assume we’ll see a lot of him over the subsequent few weeks.’
Rooney added: ‘He has received his GCSEs, and his training, I am certain for him and his household, is essential as nicely.
‘He will not be in as a lot as he’d most likely like, however then you definately’ve received a few years forward of you.’
Dowman is in 12 months 11 in school and GCSEs usually happen throughout Might and June.
Arsenal have seven extra Premier League video games, together with 4 in Might, whereas they continue to be within the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
Rooney additionally opened up additional on what life could also be like for Dowman as a younger participant who has shot into the highlight.
‘I used to be again out enjoying with my mates on the streets after I scored after the sport,’ added Rooney, who was but to signal knowledgeable contract and on £75 every week when he netted that iconic purpose in opposition to the Gunners.
‘Now we’re in (a) social media (period). Individuals might be messaging, Instagram or Twitter, no matter he is received. And you will be seeing it in every single place.
‘It is totally different now, a special age after I was coming by. There was no social media at the moment.
‘So it was all in regards to the newspapers and whether or not you appreciated it or not – entrance web page and again web page. I feel the scrutiny’s not on you as a lot possibly lately.’
Rooney additionally felt Dowman’s Arsenal team-mates would preserve him grounded amid the hype
Dowman made his Arsenal debut again in August and has since gone on to play eight occasions in all competitions for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta has appeared to belief him extra in current weeks after he missed a bit of motion on account of an ankle damage – and Dowman impressed after beginning in opposition to Mansfield City within the FA Cup earlier this month.
And Rooney felt that the wonderkid had the angle to match his expertise.
He defined: ‘He appears, from the video games I’ve watched, to not let that stress have an effect on him as a result of he will get the ball, he holds on to it, he commits defenders, he goes to take them on, and so he positively appears like he is received a confidence about him.
‘Mikel Arteta, a number of the senior gamers within the Arsenal squad, won’t let him get forward of himself. However I feel it’s important to take pleasure in it as nicely.
‘Typically individuals assume that having fun with success is smug and I simply assume they do it within the [USA]. They take pleasure in it they usually have a good time it.
‘So after we’ve received a younger lad like that coming by as a 16-year-old, he is clearly received quite a lot of skill and also you simply hope he can go and fulfil that potential.
‘Let him take pleasure in it and go and specific himself.’
