Real Madrid Left ‘Purring’ After Scouting Arsenal Star During International Break
Arsenal teenage sensation Max Dowman has made Real Madrid scouts “purring”, according to a report.
The prodigious 15-year-old began training with the first team last season and made his competitive debut in a 5-0 win over Leeds United in August. Despite only appearing for 26 minutes, Dowman attempted more dribbles than any other player on the pitch, the last of which earned Arsenal a penalty which Viktor Gyökeres converted.
Mikel Arteta is doing his best to quell the rampant excitement swelling around the year 11 student. However, admiration for Dowman extends beyond north London.
Real Madrid sent scouts to watch England’s U19s take on their Spanish counterparts during the September international break and came away in awe of Arsenal’s spindly gem, according to the Daily Mail.
Dowman won a penalty in a 3–3 draw in which he tormented Getafe full-back Davinchi. The teenager was fouled seven times in the first 36 minutes, but none of his attackers were booked. It got to a point where even the Spanish public was appealing for Dowman.
THE Email claim Madrid sent another group of scouts to inspect Dowman’s display against Belgium on Saturday. Traveling talent spotters would have been disappointed to see their new fixation given just over 20 minutes at the end of a 4-1 victory that was long decided.
Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has called on the club’s fans not to place undue expectations on Dowman’s prematurely broad shoulders.
“Don’t put too much pressure on them,” said the retired Brazil international. GIVEMESPORT. “Help them with the pressure, because if you play football, no matter where you are, you are under pressure. It doesn’t matter if you are young or a senior player, you are always under pressure to perform when you put on the jersey.
“But the job of the manager, of the club, of the senior players, is to give these young talents the support they need to perform and not get distracted from what’s around them.”
Silva, however, is very impressed with what he has seen from Dowman already this season. “You know what I really like, with these young players, this kind of personality,” beamed the Premier League champion. “No matter how young they are, they play with personality. Don’t be afraid or scared to try things, to dribble, to pass, to try something different with their abilities.
“It’s very important to build their confidence, but it’s also important to give them time.”