Arsenal legend Martin Keown says the Gunners have a very “special” talent to look out for and has tipped the youngster to break multiple records.
Arsenal win by 2 points in Carabao Cup final against Man City
Arsenal vs Man City under the arch in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
This is Mikel Arteta’s side’s first major final since lifting the FA Cup in August 2020, and a chance to end their six-year wait for a silver medal, just as they are also chasing the Premier League title.
The timing couldn’t be more important or more demanding.
Arsenal’s path to this point has been built on character as well as quality. They defeated Crystal Palace on penalties in the quarter-final stage and then beat Chelsea in the two semi-finals. Kai Havertz’s 96th-minute come-from-behind goal tied the game and sealed their place at Wembley.
Standing in their way is City, who are aiming to win the Carabao Cup for the first time since 2021, taking on Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate.
Pep Guardiola will be able to step into the dugout as a substitute on Sunday, but his touchline ban will not be extended beyond this tournament and he will be desperate to stop Arsenal’s momentum, which has been building all season.
Arsenal’s Mark Douglas also shares updates on Bruno’s progress with Man United as they aim to win a double for the Newcastle star
Coach Eddie Howe’s team is attracting attention.
There are question marks around Martin Odegaard and Julian Timber, both of whom failed to win the recent Champions League second leg against Bayer Leverkusen.
But the atmosphere around the club is electric, not least because of the moments that have captured the imagination of everyone connected to the Gunners in recent weeks.
When 16-year-old Max Dauman came on as a substitute against Everton and became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, there was a shock during the match.
The teenager didn’t just score, he played with a composure and decision-making that made seasoned observers do a double take.
Martin Keown hints at Max Daumann breaking Arsenal record
One such observer, Keown, spoke to TNT Sports and was unequivocal in his admiration.
North Londoners have nurtured many incredible geniuses over the years, he says, but Dauman has the potential to be something special.
“He has been training with the first team for several years now, so much so that you have to check his birth certificate to know if that’s true and how good he is.”
For Keown, the Toffees goal itself was a perfect testament to the kind of player Dowman is.
“That goal he scored against Everton, the first ball was a provocative cross, a quality ball, but everything he did in that game was first class and trying to influence the game.
“I would have cleared that ball and thought time was up, but he thought differently than the other players. He ran happily to the goal and kicked the ball in. He’s already shown great maturity and didn’t get nervous.”
The former Arsenal defender used his own experience to express exactly how surprising this is.
“I remember coming through Arsenal’s youth team with six full internationals: David Rocastle, Michael Thomas, Tony Adams, Paul Merson and Niall Quinn.
“We’ve got good players around us. Skelly came in, Saka came in, Nwaneri went out on loan. When he went out on loan, you had some idea of how good Max Dauman was.
“My God, this is a great achievement for such a young man, but he still has a long way to go. He is the youngest goalscorer in the Premier League.
“I think in the next few years we might see him at the top of many records. Let’s hope he does.”
There were suggestions after Dorman’s appearance that Odegaard might be watching over his shoulder, but there’s no arguing that the British teenager is breathing down his neck.
