Rooney says patience needed with Premier League record-breaker Dowman
Dowman became the Premier League's youngest goal-scorer with a fine finish against Everton at the weekend when on target at the age of 16 years and 73 days that sealed a 2-0 win for the Premier League leaders at home to Everton.
Rooney understands better than the most the pressures facing Dowman, with the former England striker emerging into the public eye five days before his 17th birthday when he scored for the Toffees in the same fixture in 2002.
Dowman is set to take his GCSE (general certificate of secondary education) public exams later this year
"For me it was all football over education, I don't know what the situation is for him -– if it's education first I don't think we'll see that much of him over the next couple of months," Rooney said on the BBC's Wayne Rooney Show.
"I'm sure Mikel (Arteta, Arsenal manager) will have had his parents in, and family, and spoken about what his education means to him. I'd imagine, especially now, he won't be in as much as he'd probably like…but just get them (exams) out of the way, there's many years ahead of you.
"What an opportunity for him to be around the squad. He could be a Premier League winner when he's still finishing school off."
Rooney, who went on to enjoy a successful career with Manchester United and England, is excited by Dowman's talent.
"He's got an aura and a belief about him and it was the same against Everton," he said.
"He seems, from the games I've watched, to not let that pressure affect him because he gets the ball and he holds on to it. He commits defenders, he goes to take them on and so he definitely looks like he's got a confidence about him.
"It's a big moment for him in his life and career, it's obviously something which I've been through as a 16-year-old, and that moment will live with him for the rest of his life.
"So when we've got a young lad like that coming through as a 16-year-old, he's clearly got a lot of ability and you just hope he can go and fulfil that potential.
"Let him enjoy it and go and express himself."