He plays like Messi — Walcott hails Arsenal forward after exciting start to season

Arsenal’s 15-year-old winger Max Dowman has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi from former Gunners star Theo Walcott.

Dowman made his Premier League debut in Arsenal’s 5-0 thrashing of Leeds on Saturday, becoming the club’s second-youngest player at 15 years and 234 days.

Walcott, who joined Arsenal in 2006 and spent 12 years there, praised Dowman’s Messi-like ability to glide with the ball, using his low center of gravity to exhaust defenders.

“What’s really fascinating is that [Mikel] Arteta will allow him to do that because that’s his strength,” Walcott said.

“He carries the ball, he’s quicker with it. He’s like Messi. I remember playing against Messi – off the ball, he’s not quick… but with the ball, he’d glide past me with ease. [Dowman’s] got that stop-start.”

Walcott also lauded Dowman’s fearless attitude, noting, “He’s got ability you just can’t teach… he plays with that freedom.”

He added, “We talk about football being boring at times. Watching him, he’s not boring. He’s so positive every time he has it… It’s so refreshing.”