JAKARTA - 16-year-old midfielder Max Dowman became an Arsenal star. He was involved in the first goal and then scored the goal that sealed Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Arsenal in the English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London, Sunday, March 15, 2026 WIB. Dowman also brought Arsenal closer to winning the English League title.
Arsenal's 22-year wait seems to be coming to an end. Yes, Arsenal last won the Premier League in 2004. At that time, The Gunners were still managed by legendary manager Arsene Wenger. When Mikel Arteta came as a player, Arsenal was no longer able to win the league title. During 2011 to 2016, Arteta was only able to win the FA Cup twice and the Community Shield twice as well.
But now Arteta has the opportunity to bring Arsenal to fulfill a dream that has been delayed for decades. And Dowman also played a role in bringing the North London club to realize that dream.
Yes, Dowman who replaced Martin Zubimendi in the 74th minute was able to revive Arsenal's game. When the other players started to get frustrated because throughout the match it was difficult to break into the Everton goal.
England national team goalkeeper Jordan Pickford showed a slick performance while standing under the Toffees' crossbar. Including several executions from Eberechi Eze who was always blocked by the defense line of David Moyes' troops.
Likewise, Kai Havertz who for the first time started in the centre forward position replacing Viktor Gyokeres. The German national team player actually opened the opportunity to score when he was brought down by Michael Keane in the first half. However, the referee let the incident go and Havertz almost couldn't believe he didn't get a penalty for the foul.
When Dowman was brought in by Arteta, the team's game seemed to come alive again. And he played an important role when Arsenal managed to break the deadlock towards the end of the match.
Yes, his long pass leading to the front of the goal could be greeted by Piero Hincapie who was then given by Gyokeres who came in to replace Havertz. Without difficulty, Gyokeres' shot broke into the Everton goal which was empty because Pickford failed to catch the ball.
The goal that was created in the 89th minute made the fans immediately cheer with joy. The victory was in sight. Moreover, Dowman made a sensational action when he soloed from the middle field in injury time.
The player, who has not received an official contract from the club because he is not yet 17, received a pass from Gabriel Martinelli and ran with the ball alone.
He then fired into a goal that Pickford had already left, who came up to help the attack and gave Arsenal a 2-0 lead in the 90+7 minute.
At 16 years and 73 days, Dowman broke James Vaughan's record as the youngest player to score in Premier League history. He also became the youngest player at the club to score against an opponent.
"He is able to change the game every time he gets the ball. He can make anything work and his presence is like more than a threat," Arteta praised the still-youthful Dowman.
"With what he's doing at his age now in a game that's full of pressure and has to win, it's clear this is really not normal. But he doesn't feel that pressure at all. This is the best part," said Arteta.
"Talented players like him actually act according to their feelings. I'm happy with what he achieved," he said again.
Arsenal closed the match with a 2-0 lead which made them nine points ahead of Manchester City who failed to win after being held by West Ham United 1-1. Arsenal is also closer to the league title.
Not only that, Arsenal also maintains the opportunity to win a quadruple or four trophies in one season because they are still in the Champions League. In the club's history, Arsenal is the only Premier League top team that has never lifted the treble. They also qualified for the English League Cup final and advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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