BBC pundit shares what ‘incredible’ Max Dowman did vs Mansfield Town that was ‘phenomenal’

Stephen Warnock was blown away by Max Dowman after Arsenal beat Mansfield Town 2-1 to progress to the quarter-final of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Goals from Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze secured the win for the Premier League giants, despite Will Evans’ second-half strike.

Dowman started the game, making his first appearance since November after recovering from a significant ankle issue.

Mikel Arteta made several changes to his starting line-up, as he looks to provide his first-choice team with as much rest as possible ahead of the run-in.

It showed throughout the game, but Arsenal ultimately won to secure their place in the quarter-final and keep dreams of a stunning quadruple alive.

Stephen Warnock waxes lyrical about Max Dowman

Dowman has been compared to Rooney after breaking through for the Premier League leaders this season, such is the excitement surrounding him palpable.

The 16-year-old is a sensational dribbler of the ball, and seems to constantly be able to get away from his defender.

Despite all of the astonishing talent on the pitch, far his senior, it would not have been a reach to say the youngster looked to be the best player on the pitch in the first half.

He should have had his first goal in the opening seconds when Liam Roberts mistakenly passed straight into his path, but the goalkeeper recovered well to save.

Dowman’s confidence was clear already, however, and he seemed to orchestrate the Arsenal attack, allowing moves to flow through him before often attempting to finish them himself.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live during the first half, Warnock said: “Max Dowman is a delight to watch. 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.

“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.”

Marli Salmon impresses vs Mansfield Town

Much of the discussion following Saturday’s game will be about the extremely exciting talent Dowman, but there was another 16-year-old on the pitch for Arsenal.

Marli Salmon has made brief substitute appearances for the Gunners this season, but against Mansfield, he was entrusted from the start to play at first in a back three, before moving to the right.

And the England youth international rose to the task immediately, using his tall frame to jostle against players in excess of a decade his senior.

Just as much as Dowman can be, Salmon can be extremely proud of his contribution in his first senior start, with the future looking extremely bright for both players.

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