Arteta open to loaning Max Dowman if it helps

Arsenal are leaving the door open to a Max Dowman loan this season, provided it truly supports his development. Mikel Arteta said the club will weigh up the right timing and circumstances, stressing that the evaluation won’t be guesswork.

Review every six months

As BBC Sport reports, Arteta explained that they will reassess the situation at regular intervals, “every six months”, factoring in what Dowman needs, what the squad needs, injury/availability in the first-team setup, and—crucially—the minutes he would be given and the value of those minutes.

Statement in the Carabao Cup

Dowman is 16 and last term set two Arsenal records: he became the youngest player to score in Premier League history and the youngest ever to score for the club. This campaign he had not featured in the league, but he made his first appearance count in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, scoring two goals in Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Ipswich.

Arteta also insisted the club want to keep him involved, but admitted they must remain open when the pathway is clearer. Dowman, who completed his GCSEs over the summer, will only be eligible to move on loan once he turns 17 on 31 December, with the winter window scheduled to open the following day.

Possible interest from Luton

BBC Sport also notes that Luton’s manager Jack Wilshere—an Arsenal midfielder in the past—may have expressed interest in taking the teenager on loan. Arteta’s message was simple: the “best way to knock on the door is to do it on the pitch”, and Dowman now has the chance to earn his place through performances.

As the Gunners head towards their Premier League trip to Brighton, Dowman will be looking to turn the Ipswich display into further minutes in Arteta’s plans.