Wayne Rooney urges Arsenal teenage sensation to 'enjoy' the limelight

Atrayo Bhattacharya

Wayne Rooney urges Arsenal teenage sensation to 'enjoy' the limelight image

Arsenal were at their devastating best as they hammered newly promoted Leeds United 5-0 on Sunday at Emirates Stadium in game week 2 in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

New signing Viktor Gyokeres scored a brace along with Jurien Timber, who also scored a couple of goals with Bukayo Saka chipping in with a goal. 

The match also had a glimpse of Arsenal teenage sensation Max Dowman, who was brilliant off the bench and earned a penalty which was duly converted by Gyokeres. 

Dowman at 15 years and 235 days, became the second-youngest player to debut in Premier League only behind teammate Ethan Nwaneri. 

After the game, everyone was talking about the 15-year-old and his technical ability, close control and maturity to make precise runs into the box. 

He was so good that former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney was impressed with the teenage as he could relate with the Arsenal star's experience. 

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Rooney also made his Premier League debut when he was 16 in August 2002 as he came on and scored a late winner against Arsenal, becoming the youngest to score in his Premier League debut. 

"To play at that age in the Premier League is crazy," Rooney told in BBC podcast. "I know I played when I was young, but I think he's like 150 days younger than I was, or more."

"For Max and his family and friends, I'm sure they're all living in a dream and a fairytale and it probably hasn't hit home yet. But you can see his future is so bright, he is going to have a massive future.

"Everyone you speak to in football, the same name keeps coming back: Max Dowman."

What advice did Wayne Rooney give to the Arsenal teenager?

Rooney has lived through this experience at Everton and then made a big switch to Manchester United where he became a crucial part of a successful dynasty formed by former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Even after his retirement, the former England international is held at a very high regard among Premier League greats. 

Therefore, Rooney shared words of advice to the 15-year-old, as he said, "Enjoy it. I'm sure we're going to see so much of him, so much of his talent and goals and assists, whatever," he said.

"Alan Stubbs always said to me years ago, 'make sure you enjoy it because it goes very quickly'.

"When you're young, you don't think that or you sometimes forget that, but enjoy it and make the most of it."

The 39-year-old is worried about Dowman getting overwhelmed with the popularity that he is getting after making his Premier League debut. 

Rooney highlights about the pressure that comes with this popularity and how tough it is to handle, he said, "It's surreal. It's so strange that one minute you're in the youth team and the next you're in the first-team dressing room with some of your heroes.

"It's something you really need to get used to quickly because it can be overwhelming.

"Dowman looks like a very level-headed lad from everything I've seen and you hope he manages to deal with it and understands what's coming his way very soon."

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Atrayo Bhattacharya

Atrayo Bhattacharya is a content producer for The Sporting News, working across English editions.