Max Dowman is set on track to be worth more than Viktor Gyokeres. The Hale End wonderkid has been turning heads at Arsenal.
New striker yet to silence the critics
Viktor Gyokeres hasn’t exactly flopped in an Arsenal shirt, but he hasn’t set the place alight either. Three goals in six PL games is steady enough. His raw strength and hunger to stretch defences have given Mikel Arteta’s attack a different look.
Still, at 27, fans expect more. He was signed as a finished product, someone meant to deliver instantly. Missed chances against Olympiacos only added to the frustration. Meanwhile, he clearly has the tools, questions remain about whether he can justify the £64m Arsenal paid to get him. For now, Gyokeres is contributing, but he’s under pressure to show that he’s worth every penny.
Max Dowman and Gyokeres comparison
On the other side of the spectrum is Max Dowman, the latest Hale End graduate who looks destined for greatness. Just 15 years old, he already made waves with 19 goals and five assists in 23 youth appearances last season. That earned him a spot on Arsenal’s pre-season tour, where Arteta gave him minutes against Newcastle.
Instead of shying away, Dowman ran at seasoned defenders, won a penalty, and kept asking for the ball. He then backed it up with a fearless senior debut against Leeds. He once again forced defenders into fouls because they couldn’t stop him any other way.
Arsenal fans have seen academy gems like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. But, Dowman might be on a different level. If he’s already bullying professionals at this age, it’s hard not to imagine his stock one day soaring past Gyokeres’.
Author’s Opinion:
Dowman is the kind of raw, fearless talent Arsenal have built their identity on. Gyokeres may still prove his worth, but Dowman feels like a once-in-a-generation star in the making. His rise looks higher, and Arsenal know it.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
