BBC pundit Stephen Warnock has been left blown away by one Arsenal player who dazzled in the FA Cup against Mansfield Town today.
Arsenal survive Mansfield scare to book FA Cup quarter-final spot
Arsenal are through to the FA Cup quarter-finals, but they made extremely hard work of it at the One Call Stadium.
Mikel Arteta made nine changes from the side that beat Brighton in midweek, with one eye firmly on Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg at Bayer Leverkusen.
The likes of Declan Rice, David Raya and William Saliba were all left at home, handing fringe players and academy prospects a rare chance to shine against the League One side.
It was far from straightforward.
Arsenal spent much of the first half searching for a way through a resolute Mansfield backline, with Trossard going close on more than one occasion and the post denying Madueke from a corner.
The opener finally arrived on the stroke of half-time — Madueke, after seeing his initial effort saved, poked home the rebound to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead at the break and hand the club a landmark moment, the goal being their 100th of the season across all competitions.
The second half began disastrously.
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A sloppy defensive error gifted possession straight to substitute Will Evans, who raced clear and slotted past Kepa to level things up and send the home crowd into raptures.
Suddenly, the prospect of a giant-killing felt very real.
Arsenal, to their credit, responded. Eberechi Eze, introduced from the bench, swivelled onto a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and lashed a stunning effort into the top corner to restore the lead.
The Gunners then held on to win 2-1 and book a quarter-final spot.
The quadruple dream stays alive — just about.
Stephen Warnock blown away by Max Dowman in Arsenal win over Mansfield
But amid the anxiety, one name kept catching the eye.
Making his first start since November, having been sidelined since a Champions League appearance against Slavia Prague, 16-year-old Max Dowman reminded everyone watching exactly why Arsenal’s supporters are so excited about him.
The teenager made history before kick-off, becoming the youngest player ever to start for Arsenal in the FA Cup, and proceeded to deliver a performance that had pundits purring in the aftermath.
Former England full-back Warnock was among those unable to hide his admiration, in conversation with BBC Radio 5 Live.
Premier League’s youngest ever players
Age
Club
Ethan Nwaneri
15 years, 181 days
Arsenal
Max Dowman
15 years, 235 days
Arsenal
Jeremy Monga
15 years, 271 days
Leicester City
Harvey Elliott
16 years, 30 days
Fulham
Matthew Briggs
16 years, 68 days
Fulham
“Max Dowman is a delight to watch,” said Warnock.
“The way he carries the ball, and he glides past players. Often he offloads it at the right time. His vision and understanding of the game is phenomenal for someone so young.”
Warnock was also candid about the challenge that lies ahead for the teenager as he looks to force his way into Arteta’s first-team plans on a more regular basis.
“The problem he’s having at the moment is Arsenal are so good, and he is not getting the game-time he wants, but you have to be so careful with how you bed him into it. The game is different physically — it is so different from youth football.
“He knows how to find space, and he is constantly looking over his shoulder. His decision-making for such a young player — he is incredible.”
Dowman did miss an early one-on-one with the Mansfield goalkeeper, but that one lapse aside, he looked every inch a player who belongs at this level.
For Arsenal, managing his development carefully remains the priority. On today’s evidence, the queue of clubs watching him very closely will only be getting longer.
Paul Merson has already called Dowman a scary prospect, and the teenage talent has yet again backed that up today.
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