Laura Woods shares 'what we've been told' about 16-year-old Max Dowman live on TNT

Laura Woods gave an insight into what the media "have been told" about Max Dowman ahead of Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 clash between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen.

At the age of 16 years and 73 days old, Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history on Saturday (March 14), when he netted the second goal in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Everton.

Naturally, the teenager was the talk of social media following his performance, with some even suggesting that Dowman should go to the World Cup, despite playing just 43 minutes of top flight football.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was keen to temper expectations. "We need to bring the temperature down and understand what the best thing is for this boy at this age," the Spaniard said in his post-match press conference.

"He's doing something phenomenal, we all know that. Let's keep it down a little bit and respect the nature to do what he has to do – I'm sure he’s going to do something really good."

On Tuesday night, after Dowman was named on the bench for Tuesday's clash against Bayer Leverkusen, Laura Woods and her TNT Sports colleagues, Karen Carney and Martin Keown, were full of praise for the teenager.

Woods also reminded the audience about what the media have been told about Dowman regarding expectations.

"Listen, we've been told... the media have been told not to make a big deal out of Max Dowman," she said on TNT Sports.

"We're trying not to, but we have to celebrate him a little bit. What this kid did at the weekend against Everton, and what we're hearing coming out of training and from Arsenal players... he's something special."

Thierry Henry makes Max Dowman plea on CBS Sports

Since his record-breaking goal against Everton at the weekend, Dowman has earned comparisons with Kaka, Lamine Yamal and even Lionel Messi.

Like Arteta, former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry wanted to mention expectations as he spoke about the emergence of Dowman during CBS's coverage of the Champions League on Tuesday.

"If you talk about Dorman, you also have to be careful in terms of how you can protect him. And I saw Mikel Arteta actually talking about his protection — he was asking the press for help to make sure that he can stay grounded," said Henry.

"But look, it was very difficult on the night — or on the evening — to stay composed. Even me, I don’t really get goosebumps when I watch a game, but that brought me to that situation.

"And again, I will say it: we need to be patient and protect him way more than people think, because it is not easy to already be the guy when you haven’t really shown that part of the game."

Henry added: "I do believe he’s a talent, obviously, but we need to guide him to be what we want him to be at Arsenal."