Arsenal willing to consider Dowman loan move if it suits his progress
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the club will review every six months whether a loan spell abroad would benefit 16-year-old Max Dowman's development, while keeping him in the first team for now.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said the club is open to letting teenage midfielder Max Dowman leave on loan this season, should that option prove best for his development.
Last season the 16-year-old broke two records, becoming both the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history and Arsenal's youngest ever scorer. He has yet to appear in the Premier League this term, but marked his first appearance of the season by scoring twice in Arsenal's 4-2 Carabao Cup win at Ipswich on Tuesday.
Arteta stressed his current priority is keeping Dowman involved with the senior squad, but confirmed the club will reassess the situation every six months to determine what suits the player best. He said the decision depends on multiple factors, including Dowman's needs, the team's requirements, squad availability, and the quality of playing time on offer.
Dowman, who finished his GCSEs over the summer, becomes eligible for a loan move on 31 December when he turns 17 — a day before the winter transfer window opens. League One club Luton, managed by former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, are reported to have shown interest, though Arsenal say they have not engaged with any loan enquiries, having been clear they wanted Dowman involved in pre-season and the first-team setup.
Dowman made 13 appearances for Arsenal last season as the club ended a 22-year wait to win the Premier League title. Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of such decisions for young players, drawing on his own experience of moving to Paris Saint-Germain at 17, noting that success in such moves often depends on the environment and how much the coach believes in the player.
Arsenal have won all seven of their domestic and European fixtures this season, including the Community Shield against Manchester City. Arteta said the best way for a young player to earn opportunities is through performances on the pitch, praising Dowman's showing against Ipswich as he hopes to feature in Saturday's Premier League match away at Brighton.
