Max Dowman Makes History As Arsenal Surge Clear 

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0:58Coming up on today's show, a young man called Max Downman came on, as you put... I mean, wow, wow. He sent me. I thought he was going left as well. Rio Ngarma. Oh, my word. I mean, you have Downman on the right. The future looks bright. I mean, wow. He was incredible. I think they're going to have to win every game now, City, realistically, to have a chance. Even if they do, it might not be enough. The delivery from Bruno. I think he's played some of the best football of his career.

1:41Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football with Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. Actually going to be doing most of the pub with Micah later. but really just wanted to get you on now and just a to see, you know, that you've been blurry this morning, your eyes are almost shot, but also because it was obviously your charity ball. Do we call it a ball last night? And I know you're entertaining the whole weekend. So it's nice just to have a quick chat. Just really wanted to give your charity a bit of a plug again, because it's so worthy. And also how did it go? Yeah. I apologize for my eyes and my voice and everything else.

2:18I'm definitely hung over. I haven't got a clue what time I got to bed. But it was an amazing night. Yeah, we had Tom Grennan came and performed for us very kindly. What a guy. What a brilliant guy Tom Grennan is. So I think we raised just under 200 grand on the night, which is bloody amazing. Yeah, we had a right good party, a good ball, good sing-along. And it was great to see so many happy faces. And, of course, Newcastle kicked off at half five when we were just starting. And Newcastle won. so I think that gave everyone a bit of a buzz in the room as well. So yeah, we had a great night, yeah.

2:52Yeah, what a weekend. I don't know whether you saw that Anthony Gordon wasn't necessarily that happy with some comment. I love it. I think he just wanted to clear things up. Yeah, that's fine. You always get the chance, the right to reply as a player. And I wouldn't change anything I said the other night against Barcelona. Wouldn't have kept me out of an illness for a game. I know you said it was the manager's... Well, his point was he was really wanting to play and was disappointed he didn't. So he said it was not his decision. I mean, he was ready to go. So I think that was just his point. I don't speak.

3:26Yeah, I get that. I totally understand that. So who was there last night, Alan? We had Ian Wright came up. Wrighty? Yeah, played golf with him yesterday morning. Took him up the course to play golf. Me, Tom, and Tom's pal, Dan. So we had a good game of golf in the morning and then we had a good drink and a good party in the late afternoon, evening, early hours of the morning. So you started early and went late? Yeah, we started after golf and had a couple of pints of Guinness and then I haven't got a clue what time we ended. And what's happening today? We're all out again. So we carry it on. It's just a full weekend of partying.

4:10I can't wait for tomorrow morning when everyone's gone and I'm back to normal. I've got to tell you, Al, you get to an age now. You're not far behind me where you just need to – you might need to slow down a bit. Yeah, absolutely right. Yeah, I mean, in my 20s and my 30s, maybe even in my 40s, it wouldn't have been a problem to go all weekend. But in my 50s, I'm struggling. Yeah, and tell us where the 200 grand goes because it's, you know, it's for your Alan Shearer Foundation. Well, because we give everything away for free. So whether it's a hydrotherapy pool, whether it's the sensory rooms, the music rooms or anything we give we if you have a a child with a disability we give it all away for free and we what we announced last night is i mean we started this 20 years ago my testimonial you know so with what started with one game um 20 years on is now like a crazy obsession i think so um we we started with like 100 over just over 100 members from 20 years ago and we've got over 10 ,000 members now, which is just incredible.

5:15So we have a huge hydrotherapy pool, which is a huge help to people with a disability. And it's the biggest and best that they want, that they demand, that they use all the time. But it's just not enough we need. So I said two or three months ago, well, let's build another one. so we announced last night that we're going to have a target of trying to raise a million pounds this year I don't think people realise either how much organising these sort of events there's a lot going on isn't there it is, actually to go again for next year the planning starts tomorrow already trying to secure another music act for next year and it does, it is incredibly hard and we have a guy Matt Bowmaker who takes care of lots of that and he's a huge help to us all and does a great job and the response I've got on my phone this morning when my blurry eye when I wake up that we all had a great night and we've raised an incredible amount of money so that's our target is to raise a million quid in the next 12 months to build another hydrotherapy pool Well good luck with that Alan and thanks for popping on and I think you thoroughly excused this weekend of not really watching many football.

6:35So I'll discuss that with Micah. It'll be pretty much a bit of renewable energy when we come back. This episode is powered by Fuse Energy. Before we kick off, a quick pre-match warmup from Fuse. One question, four options and two contestants. Today's a little question for you, lads. Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets in Champions League history? A. Iker Casillas B. Gianluigi Buffon C. Manuel Neuer or D. Edwin Van Dessau Manuel Neuer for me you know what I'm going to be different I'm going to go Buffon you're going to go Buffon well Micah that was not correct the answer was one Manuel Neuer Ah, Alan, role play.

7:33The best sides don't give things away. It should be the same with your energy. Get more than just lower rates at FuseEnergy.com slash football. Use the code FOOTBALL, all uppercase, when you sign up. Save around£200 on your energy bill and get the chance to ask us your football questions on the pod. Full terms and conditions at FuseEnergy.com. And look what else Fuse Energy can do. it can replace Alan Shearer with Micah Richards, and it can make my camera work, which it wasn't doing this morning. How are you, big Meeks? I'm all good. I mean, from Alan to Micah Richards, a younger, fresher, more mobile.

8:12Yes, fantastic, to be honest. You look like you're in a match of the day dressing room. Yes, I'm in a match of the day tonight. Who with? Four games with Chappas and Rooney. Oh, lovely. How's Wayne in good form? Yes, very good form, as usual. Well, the first bite delivered by Uber Eats. Well, it's got to be Arsenal, hasn't it? It was amazing, actually. I mean, the game obviously wasn't brilliant for most of it. Like a lot of games we're seeing at the moment, a little bit dour. And then a young man called Max Downman came on, as you put. And I'm sure you saw. I mean, wow. Wow. It was one of those that I think I was saying at the time, a lot of people were saying as well.

8:52It was one of those where you could say, I was there. it was almost his Rooney moment speaking of Wayne I mean we've known about him for some time his reputation's been good we've seen him come on we saw him in the cup didn't we a week or two ago played really really well probably the best player on the pitch you know this was a big game came on and made the difference brilliant cross for the first goal all game I was crying out for people to actually get the ball in the box and you might actually something happen rather than just keep turning it over and then round again and then down the left left, then back down the right.

9:26But he came on, he whipped that kind of Luminium Mal cross and Pickford made for him, I think a rare error. And then of course that moment was very, very special at the end when Pickford went up for the corner, obviously it broke away. It kind of built and built and built. He had the awareness to just nod it in front. And then, then he left Michelinco on his backside, turned away and ran it. And everyone knew it was going to be a goal and everyone was already cheering before he put it in. And wow, what a talent. The youngest player ever to score, Micah. Wow, that's amazing. What was the atmosphere before I move on?

10:01Because it looked pretty tense, obviously. Like you said, it was a massive game. But then when that second goal went in, it was like, on TV, it looked like it was really loud. Oh, it was incredible. Yeah, but the second one, as I said, the roar started as he broke away from Mikhilenko because, you know, he wasn't going to miss from there. And it just carried on. And then obviously that was right near the end. So the spirits, when you're walking down the steps with like thousands and thousands of fans and they're all singing, you know, we're going to win the league and all this kind of thing. And I think, yeah, it was great to be there.

10:34Obviously, this is former Everton man. I thought they did really well, Everton, actually. I thought they played well and were unlucky probably not to go in ahead at halftime. At the post, I'll be rare, made a save or two. With no Tarkovsky and no Bramthwaite as well, I thought they defended so, so well. Obviously, they had a game plan that stuck to it. and had a couple of chances as well on that counter-attack. I thought they were going to score at one point, but the story is all about Dowman. Like you said, in the FA Cup, he was just... You know them players, and you know when someone's special, when they make decisions earlier than a normal player at that age would make, and the timing of the decision.

11:14So he knows when to pass, he knows when to shoot, he knows when to cross, he knows when to dribble like he did for his goal, and his footwork. What the goal? It looked like he sent me. I thought he was going left as well. That little shimmy to the left and then the right foot to take it and then go. And obviously, I'm working, like you said, working with Wayne tonight and myself, who we had success quite early in our careers. And I just pray that he's allowed to develop at the right rate. He doesn't have any bad injuries because it reminded me, especially the way he moved about Jack Wilshire. and Chad Walsh when he burst onto the scene so early we're thinking now this is a special special talent and then injuries hindered him massively I just hope he can stay fit and get the required game time because you know what it's like he's up against Saka he's up against potentially Odegaard Madweke and Warneri who's had to go out on loan as well so they've got competition in that area but he's definitely a special player it's funny because obviously Moyes was the opposing manager and David Moyes would have been the manager when Rooney kind of launched onto the scene with that incredible goal against Arsenal for Everton.

12:32So it was like a switch, the same two teams, different kinds of goals, obviously, but both special in their own way. Yeah, exactly that. And that's why I was so glad for Wayne Rooney. You know, he went on to do something really special. And I think he's a little bit different because Rooney was built like a man at that age, wasn't he? He was ready to mix it. Obviously, Max Dalman is tall, but he looks very slight. But to have the vision and the technical ability, it's just, yeah, it's amazing to see. I'm so excited to see what he can produce in his career now. You're always slightly wary of getting ahead of yourself, but I think you recognise special talent when it arrives.

13:15And I think he looks to me probably the most likely since Wayne Rooney to absolutely be a superstar. And funnily enough, while we're on this, I'm going to go off piece a little bit here for a different game. But Rio Ngomar, oh, my word. I mean, you have Downman on the right. The future looks bright. I mean, wow. He was incredible. He was so good, wasn't he? Oh, I mean, it was obviously his first start, I think, in the Premier League. Correct. And again, I don't want to get carried away. I'm not comparing him, but I'm saying that he's got that stop-start sharpness of Mbappe. You know, I'm not saying he's Mbappe.

14:02I'm not saying, because obviously he's one of the great players, but he's got enormous potential. He wasn't scared to take people on. He nearly, I mean, Poro must have played him. He didn't know which way he was going to go. And then that clever little thread he passed through, he went very close a couple of times outside of the post. I thought he was really special. I was surprised he went off, actually. Yeah, I thought the game changed a little bit when he went off because he was pushing Spurs all the way back. Then Spurs stayed in the game and then got their goal. But I thought he was the player of the match by far, though.

14:35We've all been, well, especially me, in that position, Pedro Porro. And you know when someone's got the better of you. and he kept going and going and going. Where's shouting the team? Just keep giving the ball to him. Let's see the battle. And then you're thinking, is he going to go back into the mode of what we've been saying as pundits, robotic and start getting it and then coming back? But he didn't. And that was the most exciting thing where he just wanted to keep going and going and going and going with conviction. And on another day, he could have two goals, a couple of assists. But I thought overall performance But for someone so young, it was very good.

15:13It was the two of them, Dalman and Ngomar. I think the two of them are players that we've been crying out for that will beat players, that can go past, ghost past people. They don't want to just kind of regurgitate the ball and knock it around and they want to take chances. Now, these sort of players, on occasions, it won't happen for them. But I love to be brave enough and hopefully they'll continue to be encouraged to attack, to take people on and be brave enough. Because that's what football fans love. It's just so exciting to see that young talent. And two young English kids as well. Amazing.

15:52It's amazing to see. Like you said, it's exciting. That's what we want to see. Exciting football. Mike, I know we jest sometimes about you bursting on the scene, but it was true. And a little bit like these young lads. I know you're a defender and it's slightly different in a way. but what are the things that you could say to them to be wary of? Good question, Gaz. I think, so when you're that age, you feel as though nothing can faze you. And I can't speak for him. I'm talking from experience from myself, but you feel on top of the world and you feel as though you should be there and you can sort of see the swagger in both of them, knowing the very good players.

16:37So that's the first thing. And then it's the confidence to then go out and prove it week in, week out. So you need to be consistent. And it's different for them because they're probably not going to start every week. Once I was in, I was in. So I had that constant pressure week in, week out. Although theirs is probably harder because of the teams that they're playing for. So the expectation level is going to be greater for them. So that's a couple of things from the start. And then it's just how you live your life. And I know I have the funny side and I tell the stories about all this sort of thingies, but they have a chance now to be whatever they want to be.

17:20Do you look back and regret slightly perhaps some of the off-field decisions? Yes. Yes, I do. But I don't think it would be the same for them because of the level that they're at. So when I come in, I was playing with Richard Dunne and Distam, and I saw that as a very good level. But I thought I could get to that level because I was playing him. They're playing with the likes of Saka, you know? It's a different level. Who's England's right-side midfielder, which is someone who you can learn of and look up to. And Ingemoa, he's got Gakpo, and if he wants to play, Vert's out on there. So these are international players who have to do it week in, week out.

18:02But I didn't grasp the opportunity like I should have. So I had the ability, playing for England at 18. But then I rested on my laurels a little bit and thought, that's all I needed to do. I was going out every single week, but not going out where it's a problem, but just enjoying myself. But to get to the very top now, you have to eat right. You have to train right. You have to recover right. You have to make sure, and answer to your question, you have to make sure that you have the right people around you. Would that be your main advice to both of them? 100%. Because you're going to have loads of people, whether that be women, whether that be friends, whether that be agents, and especially now because of social media.

18:48And I don't have social media. We've talked about it many times before, papers. But when you're on social media, even my punditry career, So I started on Football Focus, final score. Within a year, I was doing Match of the Day with you. But I've got that experience like, no, don't let it go to your head. You've still got to prove yourself that you can do it at this level. And I had the experience of thinking I was, but not in an arrogant way, but just in a, it was a confidence, but it's a little bit more than confidence thinking I'm the man and all this sort of thing. So it's more just keep your feet on the ground.

19:26And I know all the pros always used to say that. It's true though. Saying something and doing something is completely different because of the way that life moves so quickly, you know? And that would just be for me. Make sure the people around you are around you for the right reasons and enjoy it. Enjoy it. Because it's a wonderful career. I always say just give yourself the best possible chance to succeed. And if you do that and you train really hard and you live properly, there's a lot of life to enjoy after football. Loads of time to do all that after football. So my advice is always give yourself the best chance of succeeding and you'll have no regrets.

20:14Totally agree. It'll be interesting to see what Arteta does with him over the next few weeks, because that was a performance. I mean, whether he'll start again in the Champions League, I don't know, but you can see him featuring more and more. I think he'll probably keep him on the bench for a bit, probably then start to give him maybe half an hour, then start him, give an hour like they did with Ngemo at Liverpool. So, yeah, exciting times. I was at the ground, obviously, so I couldn't see, but there's been a bit of uproar. I mean, it didn't really change the result in the end, obviously, because Arsenal won.

20:47But the awfulness of a decision with Kai Havertz, it should have been... Oh, yeah. It couldn't see from where I was, but... Oh, my God, yeah. He stole his heel. It was as clear as day. It's a penalty. And in fairness, maybe to the referee, and on the first angle, I thought Kai Havertz sort of played for it because he put his leg a little bit to the left, sort of to protect himself a little bit and get his body in. But then on the reverse angle, it was clear. He stood on the back of his heel. It should have been a penalty. And it didn't matter in the end. But it's still a bad decision, especially when it's gone to VAR.

21:27So I've got sympathy for the referee, but VAR, I've seen it. And it took, honestly. I know everyone will say it was like three seconds. It was about 20 seconds I took to look at it and say, no, check cleared. It was weird. let's move on to the title race because we said last week well I said if the next swing goes Arsenal's way then I think it's not obviously not done but I think they're in such a good position now and City slipping up again dropping points what is it nine points now with one game in hand and of course they meet so if they win their game in hand and if they beat Arsenal which is going to be very difficult they'll still be three points behind It's a big ass for City now.

22:11It's a massive ass, but it's not impossible. No, it's not impossible, but it's highly unlikely, I think. I think it's going to be more down to... I think City could win a lot of those games. Because I still think against West Ham, this should have scored more of them opportunities. Let's have it right. Haaland, who was fit and firing and confident, would be putting some of those chances away. However, I just can't see Arsenal dropping them, but because they just seem to get over the line. Like you said, he was at the game, and you think, you know, it's going to be a draw, and then something happens, a mistake from Pickford, they're back in the game, then they go get another.

22:53And I think that is a difference at the moment. Arsenal are not playing that well, but getting over the line. Man City are dominating the ball. A lot of people saying in terms of they don't look quite, I would agree, you know, in terms of playing for the right and the pace at which they're playing, but they're still dominating the ball, but they're just not finishing off the opportunities, which is the difference at the moment. Yeah, I mean, and no one will question Manchester City's nerve. But you know what it's like? Because Arsenal have not won the title for quite a long time, as soon as there's a little bit of a moment.

23:26But I don't think they're showing any signs of that. Nobody's making terrible mistakes. They're very, very strong defensively, as we know. And I think it's hard to see City winning because I think they're going to have to win every game now, City, realistically, to have a chance. I think that's going to be a really, really big ask for them. And even if they do, it might not be enough because I think Arsenal have got that momentum now. And I know they're not free-flowing and they weren't great yesterday either. It was a little bit staccato, but they win. They're getting it done. That's what you've got to do.

24:07I mean, I remember Leicester in my, you know, I've been whenever I can. It's a decade ago now. But down the home straight, when we all thought, we all thought they'd probably collapse, but they didn't. They kept winning like 1-0, 1-0, found a way and just did it. And that's what you've got to do. You've just got to get it done. And I'm pretty confident that Arsenal do it. Really confident now. I think the next two weeks is really pivotal. Man City have got Real Madrid losing by three goals. If they go out of that, it could give them a little bit more energy for the league. But then they've got the League Cup and they've got the FA Cup.

24:46And I think Man City's game, they've got Chelsea away as well, which is not going to be easy. So, yeah, I think the next couple of weeks will show us exactly what's going to happen in the league and all the Cups as well. That was the first bite delivered by Uber Eats. What's missing, do you think, with City? Is it just the fact that Haaland's not firing at the moment because they've been so reliant on him, haven't they, in the last period of 18 months or so, two years? I think there's a few things. I think they're not ruthless like they used to be. I feel as though they need another midfielder in there at the time.

25:24So O 'Reilly does really well when he plays there. But when Rodri, and I don't know if you watched the game, Rodri was excellent on a four in the game. But when he goes forward, they're missing that someone in midfield who could just protect it and vice versa. It's almost like when City go, they all go. And then it's just the back four. And because teams are playing in a low block, Rodri's advancing really high when it just leaves them exposed on the counter. But not just, it's easy to just counter. It's the fact that teams historically have come out a little bit more. But because teams are so low, and especially with someone like West Ham, who are fighting for their lives, they're really low.

26:06And when Rodri is the one pushing up, it happened against Bodo Glimt away in the Champions League as well. Exact same thing. They're all having to go and just leave them exposed. And I think teams are just better defensively. They know how to work it. and they're finding it more difficult to break teams out. Also, this Harlan role, playing up front with another one. It was evident the other day. There was crosses coming into the box. He wasn't there. Then he gets one at the edge. It's just all not free-flowing, you know? It's not happening for Erling at the moment. I mean, all strikers go through these spells, however good you are.

26:46In his first 17 Premier League games this season, He scored 19 goals and had a shot conversion rate of 29%. In his last 12 games, he's had 36 shots and only scored three times. He dropped to just 8%. Since Christmas, Ireland's got as many Premier League goals through as Virgil van Dijk. So you wouldn't have saw that coming. It's weird football. I mean, he will return. He'll start banging him in again soon. I've absolutely no doubt about that because he is one of the great goal scorers of our time. but it is funny I've always tried to work out what causes these runs of bad form I mean but the one thing is definitely true that form is fickle and class is permanent to use that cliche and he will come back and I thought he looked you know at times yesterday with a couple of chances and a brilliant save from Hermanson one of them low down as well what will happen is that someone will block one it will bounce off his backside and go in and then suddenly he'll be back and banging him in again, I'm sure.

27:50Yeah, I have all the faith in him. He's just going through one of them spells, isn't he? The important thing I always think is just to make sure that it's not you. So therefore, just keep making the runs. Keep making them. Keep going. Eventually something will happen for you. One thing you don't want to do is shy away from getting in the box, getting in the six-yard box. I don't think he's doing that. I think it's just one of those things at the moment, a bit of lack of form and sometimes confidence. So, yeah, it's hard to get out of them. It's hard to get out of them. But once you do, it's so weird.