Merino compares 'special talent' Dowman to Yamal

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has compared 16-year-old Max Dowman to Barcelona's Lamine Yamal after Dowman scored twice in Arsenal's 4-2 Carabao Cup fourth-round win over Ipswich on Tuesday. Dowman became only the second 16-year-old to score a brace for a Premier League club, matching Wayne Rooney's feat for Everton against Wrexham in 2002. Merino highlighted similarities between the two teenage talents, noting that both thrive under pressure and show no fear against top-level opposition.