Arsenal open to loan move for Max Dowman if it aids his development
September 19, 2026 00:11
WHAT HAPPENED
Dowman, who marked his first appearance of the season with two goals in Arsenal’s 4-2 Carabao Cup win at Ipswich, will become eligible to move on loan when he turns 17 on 31 December. The winter transfer window is scheduled to open the following day.
Manager Mikel Arteta said the club will review Dowman’s pathway at regular intervals. "We will evaluate every six months where we are and what is the best thing for him to do and then make the right decision," Arteta said, adding that the decision "depends on a lot of factors" including the minutes the player is getting and the squad’s needs.
Arteta stressed he is keen to keep Dowman involved in the senior set-up while protecting the teenager and assessing options carefully. "We have to be open, but now the focus is to be here and to impact the team," he said.
KEY CONTEXT
Last season Dowman set two records as the youngest player to score in Premier League history and for Arsenal. He made 13 appearances as Arsenal won the Premier League.
Dowman completed his GCSEs over the summer.
Reports have linked interest from elsewhere: League One side Luton’s manager Jack Wilshere, the former Arsenal midfielder, is believed to have expressed an interest in taking the youngster on loan.
Arteta was cautious about sending Dowman out too early, noting that outcomes vary depending on the environment a young player finds at a loan club. "It depends on the atmosphere that you find there, and how much the coach believes in you as to whether you go there just to be part of a squad or play minutes," he said.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Dowman will aim to build on his Carabao Cup display as he attempts to earn senior minutes. Arteta said the best way for the player to push for selection is to perform in training and on the pitch: "The best way to knock on the door is to do it on the pitch, not in the office."