Theo Walcott says Arsenal have a player who is just like Lionel Messi in one area, ‘it’s so weird’

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Arsenal have a Lionel Messi-like player in their ranks, according to club icon Theo Walcott.

Being compared to Messi is one of the greatest honours in modern football, as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is in a league of his own.

Now 38, the Argentina international has slowed things down in the United States, starring for Inter Miami alongside the likes of Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez.

The world has witnessed Messi’s rise from a prodigy to one of the greatest to ever play the game, and now, the next generation is taking over, with one figure likened to the World Cup winner belonging to Arsenal. 

Theo Walcott says Max Dowman is like Lionel Messi

It’s impossible to escape the talk about Hale End product Max Dowman right now. 

Arsenal want to keep Dowman’s ability under wraps as he develops, but having just made his Premier League debut at 15, such might be difficult. 

Dowman has been compared to Wayne Rooney for his explosive talent at such a young age, and the comparisons don’t stop there. 

Theo Walcott likened the 2009-born starlet to Messi when reacting to the Arsenal academy jewel’s Premier League debut. 

“He’s quicker with the ball. He’s like Messi,” Walcott said on BBC’s Football Daily.

The Arsenal icon went on to share the comparisons he’s seen between the two, based on his experience of playing against Messi. 

“I played against Messi when he was running off the ball. He’s not quick. It’s so weird. Maybe because I was quicker than most.

“But when he had the ball, he would glide past me with ease. And he’s got that. He’s got the stop-start.

“When you have that, the low centre of gravity, the defenders just get tired. I feel like he could do it all day as well. I think he just loves it.”

Having Messi-like traits at just 15 justifies the building hype around Dowman, giving Mikel Arteta a real challenge to keep the teenager’s rise steady. 

Dowman is already ahead of Messi 

Ironically, Peter Crouch also likened Dowman to Messi, with the comparisons there for all to see.

What is interesting is that, based on debut age and claim to the first team, the Arsenal starlet is actually ahead of Messi’s timeline.

Messi made his competitive debut for Barcelona at 16 years old, a moment that is treasured by the Catalan giants.

At 15, the Argentine was a celebrated member of Barcelona’s youth team, a side that, at the time, was branded the Baby Dream Team, something Cesc Fabregas was a part of.

Arteta is already struggling to comprehend how Dowman is already up to the task of playing senior football in the Premier League, but it’s a sight that the Spaniard might have to get used to.