Arsenal’s 16-year-old phenomenon Max Dauman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history after scoring an extraordinary stoppage-time goal in his team’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday. Dowman received the ball in his own half, deftly evaded two Everton players and sprinted from the halfway line into an unguarded net. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford went up to the corner and was left stranded on the field.
Dauman, an English soccer prodigy, was 16 years and 73 days old and was playing in just his third Premier League game after making two substitute appearances earlier in the season. He surpassed former Everton player James Vaughan’s record of 16 years and 270 days, set against Crystal Palace in 2005.
In November, Dauman came on as a substitute in the second half against Slavia Prague, making him the youngest player in Champions League history at 15 years and 308 days old.
Dauman is still attending school. He was 14 years old when he was invited to train with the first team by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta last December, and he shone in matches against AC Milan and Newcastle on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia.
To comply with Premier League regulations for under-18 players, Dauman must change into his Arsenal shirt during training sessions and matches in a separate changing room from his senior team-mates.
Victory over Everton gave Arsenal a 10-point lead at the top of the table, with teammate Victor Gokeres, who also scored, saying: “It’s unbelievable. You can see it in the way he plays, he’s very calm and unassuming every time he gets the ball.”
“He made the right decision most of the time. As you can see in the goal, he definitely made the right decision. He’s a great player and it was a great goal for him.”
“We’re behind him, just like we’re all behind him. That’s why we’re playing well.”
