Players like <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> define eras and set new benchmarks by which soccer is measured for generations. The Argentina star has dazzled fans worldwide for over two decades, so it’s no surprise that young players who show similar traits quickly attract attention. Now, a young Arsenal standout is being likened to the Inter Miami forward by Premier League icon Theo Walcott.



Last Saturday, the Gunners defeated Leeds United 5-0 at Emirates Stadium on Matchday 2 of the English league. A historic moment took place in the 64th minute when Max Dowman replaced Noni Madueke and became the second-youngest player ever to debut in the Premier League, at just 15 years and 235 days old.



But that wasn’t all—just 30 minutes on the pitch were enough for the young English winger to make his mark on professional soccer: he drew a penalty that Victor Gyokeres converted into the fifth and final goal of the match.



Dowman’s impressive performance has earned him widespread praise in recent days. “He carries the ball, he’s quicker with the ball. He’s like Messi,” said <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/theo-walcott">Theo Walcott</a> of Max during an interview with the BBC. To support such a bold comparison, the former winger reflected on his own experience facing the Argentine legend.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250826_WST_586776_dowman-1200x675_85eacbd7.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-586780" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Max Dowman of Arsenal claps during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United.</figcaption></figure>



“I remember playing against Messi — when he was off the ball he’s not quick. Maybe it’s because I was quicker than most,” said Walcott. “When he had the ball he would just glide past people, glide past me with ease. (Dowman’s) got that, he’s got the stop-start.”


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<h2>Walcott can relate to what Dowman is experiencing</h2>



With such a sudden leap into the spotlight and professional soccer, Max Dowman is about to experience a major change in his life. Walcott can speak to that, having been a wonderkid himself in his early Premier League years: he debuted at 16 with Southampton and months later was signed by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/arsenal/">Arsenal</a>, where he played 12 seasons.



“The biggest challenge is the outside noise and how he copes with even his school life, that balance of even walking out on the street and recognising him,” reflected the former English winger. At the same time, Walcott acknowledged that today’s world presents a different set of challenges than he faced: “That social media world, I didn’t have that coming through, we didn’t have that when we were younger. It was very different.”



<h2>Who are the youngest players in Premier League history?</h2>



Since the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/premier-league/">Premier League</a> was founded in 1992, only one player has appeared in the league at a younger age than Max Dowman’s 15 years, 7 months, and 23 days. The all-time record belongs to another current Arsenal player, Ethan Nwaneri, who debuted at 15 years, 5 months, and 28 days in 2022.



The top three is rounded out by Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga, who earlier this year played at 15 years, 8 months, and 28 days. Harvey Elliott, Matthew Briggs, Izzy Brown, Aaron Lennon, Jose Baxter, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, and Gary McSheffrey complete the top ten.

‘He’s like Messi’: Premier League icon Theo Walcott compares Arsenal wonderkid to Argentina superstar

‘He’s like Messi’: Premier League icon Theo Walcott compares Arsenal wonderkid to Argentina superstar - World Soccer Talk

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Gunners manager Arsene Wenger spoke to the media on Tuesday about possible talks with Theo Walcott over a contract extension. The French manager <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29893152">stated</a>, “We are starting to sit down with him. I think he has one and a half years to go on his contract in December and it is never an easy job with him, you know.”
Wenger also alluded to the fact that perhaps Walcott is just now entering his prime by saying, “will he be at his peak in the next few years? He should be, yes. He is 25. It is the best years now so hopefully we can profit from that.” The star winger’s current deal runs out at the end of the 2015-16 season.
Walcott made his return to first team action on Saturday, as the Gunners picked apart Burnley in a 3-0 victory at The Emirates. The England international played the final 10 minutes of the match and looked quite sharp despite missing out of the last 10 months due to a severe knee injury. The cameo appearance was Walcott’s first time on the field with the senior level squad since going down with the injury during a 2-0 FA Cup victory over bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur last January.
News of a potential contract extension for Walcott should be met with cheers by Gooners. There is no question that <a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/arsenal/">Arsenal</a> appears to be much more dangerous with the Englishman in the squad. Walcott’s pace and finishing abilities are top notch, and while the Gunners `seem to be stagnant at times, this is not usually the case when Walcott is in the side.
With Walcott returning to the team, most would assume that he would feature on the right flank and fellow speedster Alexis Sanchez would be deployed on the left flank, however, while this option is certainly mouthwatering, Wenger just might have other ideas.
Following the 3-0 win against Burnley, Wenger <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20141101/wenger-on-the-win-alexis-and-walcott">said</a> of the in-form Alexis, “since he’s played through the middle he looks more goal dangerous. Now it looks to me that he’s really dangerous through the center of the pitch because he’s in full confidence, he’s physically strong, he likes to take people on as well and he makes perfect runs. Through the center of the pitch maybe he’s more dangerous.”
The manager’s statements could possibly mean that Arsenal could utilize Alexis in the No. 10 role, or even as a center forward. Whichever way Wenger choses to use Alexis, a potential long-term partnership of the Chilean and Walcott would be absolutely explosive for the Gunners. Although the team from north London has dealt with a plethora of the injuries during the early stages of the season, a bit of good news will surely make Arsenal fans happy.

Arsenal Set to Offer Theo Walcott New Contract Extension

Arsenal Set to Offer Theo Walcott New Contract Extension - World Soccer Talk

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Positive injury news for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/10/02/danny-welbeck-benefiting-from-consistent-play-and-arsene-wengers-tutelage/">Arsenal</a> as Theo Walcott returns to training Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott has returned to training at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground this week.
Walcott, 25, has been out of action since sustaining an injury in the 2-0 win over Tottenham back in January.
Walcott missed the remainder of the 2013/14 Premier League campaign as well as England’s brief World Cup outing in Brazil.
Young German starlet Serge Gnabry has also returned for the Gunners this week. The pair bolsters Arsenal’s attacking options significantly after long term injuries to Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and Yaya Sanogo in recent weeks.
Questions remain over Arsenal’s medical staff, as the Londoners have again sustained a huge amount of injuries in the opening weeks of the season, but the return of the two attackers will help mitigate the effects of the current injury crisis.
More good injury news for the Gunners has also emerged, as rumors of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/10/02/danny-welbeck-benefiting-from-consistent-play-and-arsene-wengers-tutelage/">Danny Welbeck</a> sustaining an injury after seeming to limp off in England’s game against Estonia have also proven to be false. Walcott is likely to be named as a substitute in this weekend’s clash with Hull City, as Arsenal look to regain some league form.
The Gunners came through a tough run of fixtures to sit 8th after 7 games.

Arsenal Receive A Welcome Boost With Theo Walcott Returning To Training

Arsenal Receive A Welcome Boost With Theo Walcott Returning To Training - World Soccer Talk

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‘He’s like Messi’: Premier League icon Theo Walcott compares Arsenal wonderkid to Argentina superstar

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Arsenal Set to Offer Theo Walcott New Contract Extension

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Arsenal Receive A Welcome Boost With Theo Walcott Returning To Training