Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hasn’t dismissed the idea of sending 16‑year‑old Max Dowman on loan, stressing the club checks his progress bi‑annually.
The teenager kept his momentum, starting and netting twice as Arsenal dispatched Ipswich in the Carabao Cup, prompting midfielder Mikel Merino to liken him to Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal.
Those 90 minutes at Portman Road remain Dowman’s sole appearance this campaign; he missed the squads for the victories over Aston Villa and Sunderland.
“We haven’t entertained loan scenarios yet because we intend to keep him in the squad and involve him in pre‑season,” Arteta explained.
“From there we’ll assess our position. Every six months we’ll decide what’s best for his development and act accordingly.”
“Factors include his needs, the team’s situation, squad depth, playing time and the quality he delivers when on the pitch,” the manager added.
“We must stay flexible, but the immediate goal is his contribution here now.”
“Many youngsters his age have thrived on loan, others haven’t. I was 17 when I moved to Paris Saint‑Germain,” Arteta reflected.
“If the environment suits and the coach trusts you, you go to be part of the squad, not merely to collect minutes.”
“Which league? It varies. Right now he’s in a great spot, so we should keep him with us for now,” he concluded.
Last season Dowman became the Premier League’s youngest scorer and starter in a title‑winning side, and also the youngest ever player in a Champions League final.
In the past nine months Arsenal have loaned Ethan Nwaneri – who debuted at 15 – to Marseille and Borussia Dortmund, where he now plays.
Bothroyd: Dowman outshines Madueke
“Noni Madueke isn’t featuring for us. In my view, Max is already ahead of him,” the coach asserted.
“If you consider Madueke for England, Dowman deserves the call. He should be in that squad today, no doubt,” Arteta claimed.
“He’s England’s future. At 16 he’s already in his second professional season. By Euro 2028 he’ll be 18 and must be in the squad if he keeps this trajectory,” the manager said.
“The downside? A talented teen won’t wait for age to catch up. Professionals think now, not later, especially if they feel they’re better than the current options,” he warned.
“Dowman must be on the radar; he’s the future, just like the electrifying Rio Ngumoha,” Arteta added.