David Bentley is amazed by what he’s seeing from one of Arsenal’s rising stars this season.
Bentley is one of several players to represent both Arsenal and Tottenham, winning the double with the Gunners before spending three seasons at Spurs without silverware.
The winger hung up his boots in 2014 but remains close to the game through media duties, most recently featuring on talkSPORT.
While chatting to Jamie O’Hara, who has some choice opinions on Arsenal, Bentley didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts on Max Dowman.
David Bentley says Max Dowman is the best young player in the world
Dowman became the youngest ever player to start for Arsenal when the Gunners beat Brighton in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
As expected, Dowman was instrumental against Brighton, being a player that fans are so excited to watch.
After the win, the 15-year-old was a talking point on talkSPORT, with Bentley dubbing the teenager ‘incredible’.
“It’s an incredible thing to be 15 years old and to be doing what he’s doing at the level he’s doing it at and the club he’s doing it at,” Bentley said.
“It’s the way he moves the ball. He’s so free in the way he attacks players, and he’s got courage, hasn’t he? You can see the way he’s taking players on fully developed adults, and he’s ripping them apart, and the future’s bright for him.”
The former Spurs and Arsenal player ended his praise for Dowman by describing the academy product as ‘the best young player in the world’.
“He’s one of the best young players, if not the best young player in the world at the minute at 15.”
In a generation when superstar talents are breaking through way before their 20th birthday, to be called the best is a huge compliment.
By suspecting that Dowman could be the best young player in the world right now, Bentley alluded that the Arsenal teen is ahead of the likes of Lamine Yamal and Chelsea’s Estevao.
Peter Crouch has already compared Dowman to Lionel Messi, so Bentley’s incredible review of the starlet doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, which is remarkable in itself.
What Dowman has done in Arsenal’s academy this season
Dowman only sees his future at Arsenal, which is a massive plus given what the 15-year-old has been tipped to go on to achieve.
Right now, however, the Gunners are attempting to shield the 2009-born talent from the noise regarding his quality, but it’s becoming difficult.
| Appearances | Goals |
| 3 | 4 |
Mikel Arteta has Dowman in his first-team plans, which has reduced the Englishman’s minutes in the academy, making only three appearances so far.
Playing way beyond his years with the U19s and the U21s is still a challenge for Dowman, but he’s up to the task, scoring four goals in three this season.
It’s incredibly exciting to see where this season could take the youngster, who is proving at every given opportunity just how good he is.
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