Arsenal Open to Max Dowman Loan as Arteta Monitors Teenager’s Development
Arsenal are prepared to sanction a loan for 16-year-old midfielder Max Dowman this season if a temporary move is judged to be the right step in his development.
The Gunners want Dowman to remain part of Mikel Arteta’s senior group for now, but his situation will be reviewed regularly as the club weighs his playing time, squad depth and the standard of minutes available to him.
Arteta said decisions on the teenager will be reassessed at six-month intervals, with both the player’s needs and Arsenal’s requirements central to any call. The manager stressed that Dowman’s immediate priority is to contribute at Arsenal.
Dowman’s route to a possible loan
Dowman made history last season as Arsenal’s youngest scorer and the youngest scorer in Premier League history. He has not yet played in the league this term, but struck twice in Arsenal’s 4-2 Carabao Cup win at Ipswich.
Arsenal kept early interest in the midfielder at arm’s length during the summer, ensuring he joined the first-team pre-season programme and remained fully involved with the senior squad. Dowman also completed his GCSEs over the summer.
- Dowman turns 17 on December 31, when he becomes eligible for a senior loan.
- The winter transfer window opens on January 1.
- A move to an English Football League club could therefore be possible in January.
- League One side Luton, managed by former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, have shown interest in taking him for the rest of the campaign.
What happens next
Arsenal will monitor Dowman’s role and minutes before the January window. If Arteta’s side conclude a loan offers the best route for his progress, Luton could emerge as a potential destination for the second half of the season.
