{"id":1836,"date":"2026-04-02T22:50:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T22:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1836"},"modified":"2026-04-02T22:50:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T22:50:04","slug":"gabriel-jesus-makes-crazy-max-dowman-claim-and-names-arsenals-next-wonderkid-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1836","title":{"rendered":"Gabriel Jesus makes &#8216;crazy&#8217; Max Dowman claim and names Arsenal&#8217;s next wonderkid hope"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_e792fe\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Max Dowman has been a breakout star for Arsenal this season after becoming the youngest player in history to score in a Premier League fixture<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33708187\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Gabriel Jesus speaks \" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33708187.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Gabriel-Jesus.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33708187.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Gabriel-Jesus.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33708187.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Gabriel-Jesus.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33708187.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Gabriel-Jesus.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Gabriel Jesus has been left impressed by Max Dowman at Arsenal \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Gabriel Jesus has been left impressed by Max Dowman at Arsenal <cite aria-label=\"Image: Rio Ferdinand Presents\u00a0\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Rio Ferdinand Presents\u00a0)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has called Max Dowman&#8217;s rise &#8220;crazy&#8221; amid the teenager&#8217;s impressive start to life in the Gunners&#8217; first team. The 16-year-old became the Premier League&#8217;s youngest-ever goalscorer after netting in March&#8217;s 2-0 win over Everton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The winger made his top-flight debut on August 23, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute of Arsenal&#8217;s 5-0 win over Leeds United. Dowman has gone on to make seven appearances for Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side \u2013 scoring and assisting once.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And Jesus has lauded Dowman&#8217;s impact in an interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand. The Brazilian has explained to the <a aria-label=\"Rio Ferdinand PresentsLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LePYYmpgFEg\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Rio Ferdinand Presents<\/a> podcast how Arsenal&#8217;s young star left him shocked as he still attends school despite his newfound fame.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;Max is still 16. He started with us 15. I told you before. When I was 15, I was playing in the streets. I didn&#8217;t make it yet. It&#8217;s crazy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;So at 15, you are playing Champions League, Premier League, it&#8217;s crazy. And I ask him after the game, he scored, I say, &#8216;how was school today?&#8217; Because it was Sunday, and then Monday I say, &#8216;how was school today?&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;And he was like, &#8216;no, I&#8217;m going later.&#8217; I say, &#8216;oh, okay. &#8216;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Because in Brazil, if this happens, it&#8217;s impossible to go to school. It&#8217;s impossible.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Up to 70% off Arsenal kits and merch<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32730319.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-9jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>Various Prices<\/p>\n<p>Kitbag<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/kitbag.evyy.net\/c\/344386\/789332\/11316?subId1=Regionals-football.london&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kitbag.com%2Fen%2Fpremier-league%2Farsenal%2Fo-54310484%2Bt-47520158%2Bz-81-746375396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Buy Now on Kitbag<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kitbag has slashed the price of Arsenal kits and merch with up to 70% off select items.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The people, the fans, yeah. It&#8217;s impossible. So he&#8217;s very good, Max, very good. And he&#8217;s there. He&#8217;s there, definitely. He&#8217;s there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Dowman was called up to the England Under-19 squad during the international break. And the teenager scored a brilliant goal against Portugal in a UEFA European Championship qualification tie.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Dowman&#8217;s next chance to impress could come in the FA Cup quarter-finals away at Southampton on Saturday (8pm BST).<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The young star has made one start in the FA Cup so far for Arsenal this season, where he played 77 minutes in the 2-1 win over Mansfield Town in the fifth-round tie earlier this month.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"Factbox_factbox-container__hSMOa\" id=\"factbox\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Entering Factbox content\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33693842\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"factbox\" data-testid=\"factbox\">\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs Factbox_heading-three__NXU52 __className_18bd99\">Grand National 2026 Preview: 48-Page Guide with Tips, Runners &#038; Expert Analysis<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Factbox_content__xdMV8\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 48-page guide to the 2026 Randox Grand National is packed with interviews, features, stats and all you need for the 178th running of the world&#8217;s greatest steeplechase &#8211; <a aria-label=\"click here to order your copy todayLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk\/grand-national-preview-2026-5688-p.asp?utm_source=Grand+National+2026+-+All&amp;utm_medium=converse&amp;utm_campaign=Grand+National+2026&amp;utm_id=Grand+National+2026\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">click here to order your copy today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33693839\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33693839\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33693839.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GRAND-NATIONAL-NO-BRANDING-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33693839.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GRAND-NATIONAL-NO-BRANDING-1.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33693839.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GRAND-NATIONAL-NO-BRANDING-1.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33693839.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GRAND-NATIONAL-NO-BRANDING-1.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Max Dowman has been a breakout star for Arsenal this season after becoming the youngest player in history to score in a Premier League fixture Gabriel Jesus has been left impressed by Max Dowman at Arsenal (Image: Rio Ferdinand Presents\u00a0) Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has called Max Dowman&#8217;s rise &#8220;crazy&#8221; amid the teenager&#8217;s impressive start [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1837,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1836"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1836\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}