Max Dowman is the Premier League's youngest-ever goalscorer and the Arsenal teenager's rapid rise has amazed Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has described Max Dowman's meteoric rise as "crazy" following the teenager's stunning introduction to first-team football at the Emirates. The 16-year-old etched his name into the history books as the Premier League's youngest-ever goalscorer after finding the net in March's 2-0 victory over Everton.
The winger made his top-flight bow on August 23, stepping off the bench in the 64th minute of Arsenal's emphatic 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United. Dowman has since gone on to rack up seven appearances for Mikel Arteta's side, contributing a goal and an assist along the way.
Jesus has heaped praise on Dowman's influence during a sit-down with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
The Brazilian revealed to the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast how Arsenal's teenage sensation left him genuinely stunned upon learning that the youngster still attends school despite his rising stardom.
He said: "Max is still 16. He started with us 15. I told you before. When I was 15, I was playing in the streets. I didn't make it yet. It's crazy.
"So at 15, you are playing Champions League, Premier League, it's crazy. And I ask him after the game, he scored, I say, 'how was school today?' Because it was Sunday, and then Monday I say, 'how was school today?'
"And he was like, 'no, I'm going later.' I say, 'oh, okay.'"
"Because in Brazil, if this happens, it's impossible to go to school. It's impossible."
"The people, the fans, yeah. It's impossible. So he's very good, Max, very good. And he's there. He's there, definitely. He's there."
Dowman received a call-up to the England Under-19 squad during the international break. And the teenager netted a superb goal against Portugal in a UEFA European Championship qualifying fixture.
Dowman's next opportunity to shine could arrive in the FA Cup quarter-finals away at Southampton on Saturday (8pm BST).
The promising youngster has started once in the FA Cup for Arsenal this season, featuring for 77 minutes in the 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town in the fifth-round encounter earlier this month.