Max Dowman Becomes Premier League’s Youngest-Ever Scorer in Arsenal Win

• Max Dowman became the youngest scorer in Premier League history at 16 years and 73 days.
• The Arsenal F.C. winger scored in stoppage time during a 2-0 win over Everton F.C..
• Dowman broke the long-standing record held by James Vaughan.

Max Dowman made Premier League history on Saturday after becoming the competition’s youngest-ever goalscorer during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

The 16-year-old winger sealed the win in stoppage time with a remarkable solo goal. Dowman collected the ball inside his own half, dribbled past two Everton players and sprinted clear from the halfway line before tapping into an empty net with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stranded upfield following a late corner.

Dowman was aged 16 years and 73 days, breaking the previous record held by former Everton forward James Vaughan, who scored at 16 years and 270 days against Crystal Palace F.C. in 2005.

The teenager was making just his third Premier League appearance after two earlier substitute outings at the start of the season.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the moment as one of the most memorable at the club’s stadium.

“It was a phenomenal moment,” Arteta said after the match.

“We talked before the game to play with that relentless desire to win every action and to have the conviction that we are going to find a way to do it. The effort, the quality and the commitment of the players was sensational. And then it ended up in a manner that probably none of us expected.

“It was one of the best moments that we lived together at the Emirates.”

Dowman had not played in the league since September before Arteta introduced him in the 74th minute with the match still goalless.

“Probably in my head I had a gut feeling,” Arteta said. “Yesterday he was training in the last few days, and I had a gut feeling that it was a moment for him.

“Probably because he doesn’t seem to be faced by the occasion or the moment or the context or the opponent. He just plays so naturally. He makes decisions to make things happen and what he delivered was incredible.”

Arteta said his instructions to the teenager were simple.

“Go and do your thing and win us the game,” he said. “These are the moments in the season when something special has to happen. He knows he has the ability. I have to give him the opportunity and he will deliver.”

Dowman also played a role in Arsenal’s opening goal, providing the cross that allowed Viktor Gyökeres to break the deadlock with a minute remaining.

“I think he created a different energy in the stadium,” Arteta added. “Every time he got the ball, he made things happen. To do that at that age, in this context and with this pressure, it is just not normal.”

The win moved Arsenal 10 points clear of second-placed Manchester City F.C. in the Premier League table, although City have two games in hand.

Dowman, who is still in school, first trained with the Arsenal senior squad at the age of 14 after being invited by Arteta in December last year. He also impressed during the club’s preseason tour of Asia in matches against AC Milan and Newcastle United F.C..

Because of Premier League regulations for players under 18, Dowman must use a separate dressing room from his senior teammates when preparing for training sessions and matches.