Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has praised 16-year-old Max Dowman as a “special talent,” drawing parallels between the teenager and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal. Dowman scored twice in Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Ipswich in the League Cup on Tuesday, advancing the team to the competition’s fourth round.

Dowman’s performance marked a rare achievement, making him only the second 16-year-old to score twice for a Premier League club, following Wayne Rooney’s similar feat with Everton in 2002. Merino highlighted similarities between Dowman and Yamal, a 19-year-old who debuted for Spain at 16 and became a key figure during Spain’s Euro 2024 and World Cup successes.

“Yeah, I would say there are some similarities in terms of their character,” Merino stated. “They don’t care about the spotlight, they thrive when pressure is at the highest, they are always up for the challenge and they are not shy at all—even facing the biggest names in the game.” He suggested that Dowman could follow a trajectory similar to Yamal’s, who earned a regular role at Barcelona as a teenager.

Merino also emphasized the importance of balancing encouragement with guidance. While he is keen to see Dowman showcase his abilities, he noted the need for the young player to remain grounded and integrated within the team dynamic. “Sometimes you have to remind them that they are human beings and part of a bigger squad and team,” he said.

Highlighting the players’ humility, Merino added, “The good thing with these kinds of players—Lamine and Max—is that they are special talents, but at the same time they are very humble. They are always keen to learn and listen to the veterans. That is priceless.”

Merino concluded by expressing satisfaction with Dowman’s attitude and receptiveness to mentorship. “We are very happy to have him, but he knows we are here to help him, and sometimes even if we push him a little bit, he knows it’s for his own good. He is a very good kid.”