Arsenal have unearthed three ‘incredible’ youngsters – ‘one is as good as Wayne Rooney’
Arsenal have unearthed three young talents who could be set to take the Premier League by storm.
The Gunners have been busy in the transfer window, as they look to bridge the gap to title winners Liverpool in the upcoming campaign.
Viktor Gyokeres has been Mikel Arteta’s major signing of the summer, but the North London side have also brought in the likes of Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi.
However, in their pre-season friendlies, Arsenal have given youth players the platform to shine, with Max Dowman, Josh Nichols, and Marli Salmon all impressing.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes it is exciting to have so many talented youngsters coming through.
‘Dowman reminds me of Rooney’
This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that watching Dowman brought back memories of when he was in charge at Everton, and Wayne Rooney was coming through.
The English youngster, 15, came on in friendlies against Newcastle United and AC Milan, along with fellow 15-year-old Salmon and 19-year-old Nichols.
Wyness added that Dowman seems to be really quite special, but is not guaranteed to reach his potential.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “There were three of them, three kids, 15, 15, and 19 that were fantastic. Look, it’s exciting.
“I’ll never forget when I first joined Everton, we had a young 16-year-old called Wayne Rooney. And that was a similar situation. It brought it all flooding back, of course.
“This Dowman does seem to be really quite special, but he’s 15. I mean, your body still isn’t fully developed at this stage. Never mind your whole mental situation. He’s got to discover girls, beer and all sorts of things. Lots of living to do.
“Of course, he’s going to be sheltered. But then again, you look at cases like Tiger Woods, where unfortunately you bottle it all up as a young sportsman, and then it comes out at another time in your life.
“I don’t know the kid’s situation. I don’t know his family. I don’t know what’s around it. It’s obvious there are two or three of them Arsenal, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, that are incredibly talented young kids.
“Dowman does seem to have the talent. Rooney had it, and Rooney went on to do what he did.”
‘Arsenal plan to sell striker’
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly planning to accept a Gabriel Jesus offer in the final month of the transfer window after the landmark capture of Gyokeres.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the 28-year-old is no longer a part of Arteta’s long-term plans.
Gyokeres’ arrival from Sporting CP has forced the Brazil international down the pecking order, where he has now become the third-choice striker.
Brown told Football Insider in November that Arsenal were planning to entertain offers for Jesus in January, before his cruciate ligament injury scuppered their plans.
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