WHY JOHN TERRY COMPARES ARSENAL’S MAX DOWMAN TO LIONEL MESSI
John Terry labels Max Dowman "incredible" after the 16-year-old becomes the youngest Premier League scorer in Arsenal's win.
John Terry has showered praise on Max Dowman after the Arsenal youngster set a new record as the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history. At just 16 years old, Dowman grabbed attention with a standout performance that helped Arsenal secure a vital 2-0 victory against Everton.
Dowman, an attacking midfielder who’s been training with Arsenal’s first team since he was 14, came off the bench to assist Viktor Gyokeres' late goal in the 89th minute and then wrapped things up with a goal of his own during added time. Terry, who has encountered Dowman through his coaching role at Chelsea’s academy, was clearly impressed by the teenager’s talent.
On his TikTok page, Terry described Dowman as “an incredible player” and compared his ability to glide past opponents to none other than Lionel Messi, a comparison he acknowledged as huge but felt well-deserved. Terry sees Dowman as a key figure for Arsenal’s future and potentially for the England national team too.
Switching gears, Terry also commented on a strange incident involving Chelsea’s referee, Paul Tierney, who found himself surrounded by Chelsea players during their pre-match huddle before a game against Newcastle. Terry didn’t hold back, calling the referee’s presence there “unacceptable” and suggesting the players should have made it clear he didn’t belong in that moment.
Chelsea’s unusual pre-match ritual of gathering near the centre circle isn't new, but surrounding the referee like that is unprecedented. Tierney appeared confused as players leaned in close, with Cole Palmer even speaking directly to him after the huddle. There was a light moment too, with Enzo Fernandez laughing awkwardly at the scene.
The whole episode lasted about 30 seconds and left viewers puzzled. Tierney didn’t try to break free from the cluster of players. It seemed like a genuine team talk, but Palmer’s unusual attention to Tierney – he even hugged the referee from behind – stood out.
After the match, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior addressed the situation, defending his players' decision to show unity around the ball. He stressed it wasn’t his call but that of the team leadership. Rosenior insisted the huddle wasn’t disrespectful to the opposition and criticised Tierney, calling for the PGMOL to ensure referees focus on their job and make the right decisions, like awarding a penalty he believed his side deserved.
Ultimately, Rosenior’s point was clear: the emphasis should be on fair calls on the pitch rather than eccentric pre-match interactions. Meanwhile, Max Dowman’s exceptional debut remains the highlight of the weekend, promising an exciting future ahead.
WHAT IS THE "AURA" MIKEL ARTETA SEES IN BUKAYO SAKA’S RECENT PERFORMANCES?
"He shifts momentum." Read Mikel Arteta’s full analysis of Bukayo Saka’s importance ahead of the crucial West Ham showdown.
Mikel Arteta sees something special in Bukayo Saka’s presence on the pitch, an “aura” that he believes could drive Arsenal toward a Premier League title, just three games away from ending a 22-year wait.
During Saka’s recent absence with an Achilles injury, Arsenal managed only a single win in five matches. His return, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad. Saka set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opener before scoring himself in a solid 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.
More crucially, Saka netted the decisive goal that helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, booking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
Since making his debut for the Gunners seven years ago, the England international now carries the hopes of pushing Arsenal for vital points, starting with a key clash against relegation-threatened West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by matches against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the season’s final day.
When asked about Saka’s importance, Arteta highlighted the growing role he plays not just within the team but also in how opponents see him. There’s a clear presence, a certain quality that sets him apart. According to Arteta, Saka can shift a game’s momentum at any time, and instilling that kind of respect or even fear in the opposition is invaluable.
Arteta also touched on managing Saka’s comeback after injury, emphasising the idea of channelling fresh energy and motivation into his performance rather than rushing him back too soon. He described it as a privilege to have a player like Saka, someone who embodies core values and principles, both on and off the pitch. Beyond the football, there’s a human connection that makes working with him rewarding. What Saka showed, especially in the recent Champions League semifinal, was nothing short of remarkable.
Alongside Saka, Declan Rice has also become a pivotal figure since his £100 million move from West Ham last year. Now 27, Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season when Arsenal faces his former club on Sunday. His impact has been significant, earning him runner-up in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award behind Bruno Fernandes.
Arteta praised Rice as a key leader and a major force for the team, underlining the powerful role he plays as Arsenal chase success this season.
WHY DID JURRIEN TIMBER’S "SIMPLE" INJURY TURN INTO A SEASON-ENDING MEDICAL MYSTERY?
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face a fitness race for key stars ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that both Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are running out of time to get fit before the season ends – a tough setback for Arsenal right now.
Both have been out for weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries. The hope was always that they’d be back for the final stretch, giving Arsenal a boost when it matters most. This week, Merino at least made it back onto the training pitch, but Arteta has confirmed neither he nor Timber will be involved in Sunday’s big match against West Ham.
Arteta said he has no new injury problems elsewhere, but for Merino or Timber to play before the end of the season, their recoveries would have to be almost perfect. Timber’s situation in particular has turned out to be more complicated than they first thought.
“That’s probably been the hardest part for everyone. For me, for the player,” Arteta said. “We really didn’t think it would take this long, and he’s still not ready.”
Meanwhile, things are going well for Arsenal on the pitch. They’ve pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they just beat Atletico Madrid, booking a spot in their first Champions League final in two decades.
There’s still a twist, though. Manchester City play Brentford first this weekend, and they still have a game in hand. Even so, if Arsenal win their last three matches, the title is theirs.
Next up is West Ham, who are fighting to avoid relegation and could easily trip Arsenal up. Arteta knows his team can’t afford any slip-ups. “After the Atletico win, I was completely caught up in the emotion. You could feel what it meant to everyone fans and the staff. But straight after, my focus went to West Ham,” he said.
“We talked as a team about how we’ve earned the chance to be in the final, and we have time to get ready, but right now, all our focus and all the details need to go into West Ham.”
