Arsenal Exclusive: Ex-ref hails ‘Clever’ Dowman in Joelinton incident v Newcastle
Arsenal youngster Max Dowman pushed Joelinton into making a costly error in their win over Newcastle United, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 15-year-old, who is being compared to Lamine Yamal, bought the spot-kick off his opposition on Sunday, 27 July.
Despite an early goal from new signing Anthony Elanga, the Magpies quickly lost their lead, conceding twice in two minutes to Mikel Merino and an Alex Murphy own goal over in Singapore.
It appeared that Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe would be sharing the points until Martin Odegaard was handed the opportunity to win the game from the penalty spot, and the playmaker obliged.
Joelinton and Dowman had already been involved in a “reckless” incident, but this moment changed the result of the game in the Gunners’ favour.
Max Dowman impresses in Singapore
Newcastle supporters, however, were disappointed not by their own player, who conceded the late penalty, but by the 15-year-old, who was said to have gone to ground too easily in the 3-2 win.
Dowman is well sought after by Premier League clubs, having now stepped up to the senior level on the Gunners’ pre-season tour, and may be set for his first-team debut once the new season kicks off.
The player’s exit is highly unlikely if he can stamp his mark at the Emirates Stadium next term, and supporters will be hoping for the manager to take a chance on the talented gem.
While he came under some criticism for his fall against Newcastle, Hackett was absolutely sure that the correct decision had been made, focusing on Joelinton‘s awful decision-making instead.
Joelinton concedes “careless” penalty against Arsenal
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the criticism aimed at Dowman, the former referee said: “Joelinton has bought it from the youngster. He’s given the referee an opportunity to see his outreached arm onto his opponent.
“The opponent feels that touch and goes down. It’s a penalty kick. Joelinton should have kept his body in a natural position, which would have been a running one in this incident, not in a horizontal, push-out position.
“When a player feels a touch in the penalty area, they will go down. Joelinton should have held off; it’s careless from the Newcastle player. It would have been different had Dowman manufactured the contact.
“The young player going to ground; it’s clever. The referee is being monitored in the match, with the expectation that he’ll be accurate throughout the 90 minutes.
“Joelinton has created an offence. It’s a tired challenge, but it’s a foul. It’s careless. The player might have gone down easily, but that’s what players do.”