Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reveals ‘gut feeling’ made him play Max Dowman

Mikel Arteta revealed it was a “gut feeling” which led him to introduce Max Dowman, the Premier League’s newly-annointed youngest ever goalscorer, in their stunning last-gasp 2-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

Dowman’s delivery was critical to Viktor Gyokeres’ 89th-minute breakthrough, then, at 16 years and 73 days, signed his name in the history books when he added an empty-net cushion in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time.

His boss sprinted along the touchline before leaping in the air, and still seemed in disbelief when he addressed the pivotal substitutions which brought his side one step closer to a first Premier League title in 22 years, calling the result “one of the best moments we lived together at the Emirates”.

“(It wasn’t something) in my head, it was a gut feeling,” said Arteta, who introduced Dowman for Martin Zubimendi in a double change in the 74th minute.

“Yesterday he was training, and the last few days I had a gut feeling that it was a moment for him. Probably it’s because he doesn’t seem to be fazed by the occasion or the moment or the context or the opponent, he just plays so naturally.

“He makes decisions to make things happen, and what he delivered was incredible.”

It was Dowman’s cross quickly after an Arsenal throw-in which helped ensured Manchester City would not be able to gain any additional ground in Saturday’s late kick-off. It outsmarted Jordan Pickford, and Piero Hincapie got a touch before the ball fell favourably for Gyokeres to apply the finish into the open net.

Everton then pulled Pickford forward for a late stoppage-time corner, and the visitors were helpless when Dowman claimed the ball inside his own half and dodged two defenders before firing home his