Arsenal star William Saliba makes Premier League title claim and shares Max Dowman verdict
Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners over Everton on Saturday following late goals from subs Viktor Gyokeres and Max Dowman
William Saliba has praised Max Dowman and Viktor Gyokeres after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton
William Saliba insists Arsenal’s dramatic Everton victory proves they can handle the Premier League title heat.
The Gunners, who moved nine points clear of Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s men drew at West Ham on Saturday evening, are beginning to smell glory and the finish line is now in sight.
Saliba said after late goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Max Dowman saw off the Toffees: “We’re doing well but it’s not finished until the end in the Premier League. We have seven games left and if we win them all, we are champions.”
The imperious French defender, who helped marshal the league leaders to their 15th top-flight clean sheet of the season, also paid tribute to 16-year-old gem Dowman after he became the youngest scorer in the division’s rich history.
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The centre-back said of the red-hot teenager: “To be honest scoring for a player who is only 16 years old, who plays like this and comes onto the pitch and can change the game is amazing.
“He’s a nice guy as well, he’s humble and wants to improve every day. I’m so happy for him, I hope we can keep going together and winning like this.”
Top goalscorer Gyokeres had to settle for a place on the bench as Kai Havertz started ahead of the Swede.
Yet he still ended up having a crucial say and while this was by no means the best goal he’ll score all season – it was probably the worst – it was undoubtedly his most important in Arsenal red.
Saliba said of the 27-year-old: “I’m so happy with him, day by day he works hard and he’s given us some big wins. Today he came on like Max and changed the game. He also scored in the away game against Everton and I’m sure he will keep going like this to help us.”
Arsenal attacker Max Dowman is now the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history(Image: Getty Images)
Gyokeres is now up to 16 goals for the season and there’s definitely a sense he has stepped up to the plate to become a key figure at the Emirates Stadium since the turn of the year.
He’s already plundered eight goals in 2026 and there’s hope more will now follow. The selfless striker claims he “almost” got more satisfaction from watching Dowman hit the back of the net, however.
The £64million frontman said: “It was a good goal, it was a great feeling for me to score that and for the team it was very important. You have to go through instincts sometimes, sometimes you just have to arrive there and I did that today.
“Then to see Max afterwards scoring that goal was almost even better. He’s a great guy off the pitch and on the pitch you can see how he plays, he’s brilliant. To see him score a goal like that today was very, very nice.”
Arsenal now host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16 second leg before facing Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
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