‘Positive’ Dowman plays ‘like Messi’ – Walcott

Max Dowman, 15, a winger for Arsenal, is “so refreshing” to watch and reminds Theo Walcott of Lionel Messi.

At the age of 15, 234 days, Dowman, who is the club’s second-youngest player, made his Gunners debut in Saturday’s 5-0 Premier League victory over Leeds.

And Walcott claims that the teenager’s play reminds him of Messi from Argentina, with his quickness with the ball and low center of gravity making defenders “tired”

Walcott, who joined Arsenal in 2006 for 12 years, said, “What’s really fascinating is that Arsenal manager] Mikel Arteta will allow him to do that because that’s his strength.”

He moves with the ball more quickly and carries it. He resembles Messi. Messi is slow, and when I remember playing against him, I remember him being off the ball. I may be a faster person than most, perhaps.

He would simply glide past people and easely pass me when he had the ball. Doowman has that, he has the stop-start.

Walcott added, “He has ability where you can’t teach it, because he plays with that freedom.”

We discuss football’s love, which can sometimes be boring to watch. He’s not boring to watch, as you can tell.

He consistently exhibits such a positive attitude, which is what I admire about these players who are only positive. It’s very refreshing.

Walcott, who made his Premier League debut for Arsenal at age 16 and England a year later, is well aware of the pressure Dowman will encounter.

He acknowledged that the “main key” to his progress was having a strong support network close to Dowman.

On BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Walcott stated, “The biggest challenge is the outside noise and how he copes with even his school life, that balance between walking out on the street and recognising him.”