The world of football has been singing the praises of Max Dowman since the 16-year-old made history by becoming the Premier League's youngest goalscorer, with his brilliant solo strike for Arsenal in stoppage time against Everton on Saturday.
"PURE JOY" was the message Arsenal legend Henry, a Premier League Hall of Famer, shared on Instagram.
And speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Henry said: "I had goosebumps because I remember my first goal, my first moment. I remember that level of expectation. I could relate.
"Even if you're not an Arsenal fan, at that particular moment, I think everyone could relate and were happy for him."
Rooney knows exactly how it feels to become the youngest Premier League goalscorer, having done just that in 2002 at the age of 16 years and 360 days, when playing for Everton - against Arsenal.
He highlighted Dowman's skill and maturity, telling the BBC's Match of the Day: "To come into the Arsenal team at 16 and be juggling that with his GCSEs and go and score… it looks like a simple goal, but it’s actually a piece of play to take the two players on and out of the game.
"It’s such a big moment for the Arsenal fans, [for Dowman] to come through the academy and then score in the Premier League at 16. I’ve experienced that and felt that connection with the Everton fans from doing that. It’s special. It’s a moment he’ll never forget."
Watch: The best bits of Dowman's display
Two-time Premier League-winning goalkeeper Hart added: “I’ve heard [Arsenal team-mate] Declan Rice talk about [Dowman] all the time, and you hear nothing but compliments.
“When he scored that goal, he believed he was going to score that goal. He believes he should be on that pitch. That’s not an arrogance, that’s a confidence. I think we’ve got a really special player on our hands.”
“What a player, absolutely incredible,” said five-time Premier League winner Terry. "I watched him play against Chelsea about a year ago. I’ve not seen anyone glide past people like this man does, other than [Lionel] Messi.
“That’s a big, big comparison but this man is a proper talent and will play a big part in Arsenal’s future, and also England’s. Super talent.”
Alan Pardew
“He is an exceptional talent because once he gets to full speed, he just moves defenders with a slight move of his body," the former West Ham United, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace manager said on talkSPORT.
“Only great players can do that. Johan Cruyff could do that, George Best could do that, Messi can obviously do that. Dowman has got that ability, when he has the ball, to baffle defenders just with a slight movement of his body.”
The former Manchester United defender posted on X: “Crazy talent. What a moment for him, his family and Arsenal FC.”
The former winger, who signed for Arsenal at 16, posted: “Massive congratulations.”
Mikel Arteta
Dowman also received plaudits from those he works alongside on a daily basis. Speaking about the goal, his Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports: “It was magical. On the bench and all the players together, jumping with the crowd. It was a beautiful day.
“It is not only the goal that he scored, he changed the game. Every time he got the ball, he makes things happen and we are more of a threat.
“To do that at his age, in this context, with the pressure, the expectations to win the game – it’s just not normal.”
Arteta added: “When you have such a talent, then I’m sure good things are going to happen. What we do is create memories and create moments.
“For many years, I think people who were in the stadium today will say, ‘I was in the Emirates that day when that kid at 16 scored a goal at such an important stage of the season’.”
Gyokeres, Dowman's fellow goalscorer, told Sky Sports: “He takes the right decisions most of the time as well.
“You can see with the goal, he definitely took the right one. He's an amazing player and it was a great goal for him.”
Rice, Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera were among the other team-mates who paid tribute to Dowman.