Max Dowman: The 16-year-old Arsenal player who has forever changed the history of the English Premier League.
The first key moment came in the 65th minute of the match between the "Gunners" Arsenal and the "Toffees" Everton, with the score still 0-0. Mikel Arteta took a considerable risk by bringing on 16-year-old Max Dowman to replace Martin Ødegaard, even though the bench still included the renowned Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus. Although Arsenal took the lead 1-0 in the 89th minute from Victor Jékeřes, the crucial moment was not there.
The highlight came at the 97th minute—a moment the world will remember—when Max Dowman received the ball from a clearance just outside the penalty area. He beat Vitaliy Mykolenko in his own half by heading the ball away, then dribbled past Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall near midfield, leaving the goal wide open because Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was caught upfield pressing to equalize. The 16-year-old calmly ran forward and scored into an empty net. Though an easy goal, it was one that forever changed Premier League history.
At only 16 years and 73 days old in this game, Max Dowman broke the record for the youngest goalscorer, previously held by James Vaughan, the former "Toffees" Everton player who set it in 2005. Coincidentally, Vaughan’s coach at the time was David Moyes. Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history and also surpassed Arsenal’s youngest scorer record, previously held by former captain Cesc Fàbregas.
Max Dowman was born on 31 December 2009 in Chelmsford and grew up in a devoted Arsenal-supporting family. He joined the club’s academy at just five years old in 2015 and is still attending school. Due to Premier League rules for players under 18, he must change in a separate locker room from the senior team, but this does not affect how Mikel Arteta views him—he sees Dowman as no different from other players.
Going back to September last year, Max Dowman scored in a UEFA Youth League match for Arsenal’s under-19 team against Atalanta at just 14 years, 8 months, and 19 days old, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Youth League history. Then, in November 2025, he played against Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League at 15 years and 308 days old, breaking the record previously held by Youssoufa Moukoko as the youngest player to appear in the Champions League.
This prompted Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who was coaching on the sidelines, to forget Dowman’s age and celebrate like a 16-year-old himself as he ran out from the touchline in excitement. After the game, Arteta said, “I told him before the match to keep it simple, do what you do best, help the team win.” He added that this night at Emirates Stadium was not just about three points for the home side but a historic night for Max Dowman, the 16-year-old who made Premier League history forever.
Thanks to this outstanding result, Arsenal leads Manchester City by 9 points (with one more match played), increasing their chances of winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. They also have the 2025-26 Carabao Cup final coming up, where they will face Manchester City again at Wembley Stadium on 22 March.