Max Dowman’s ‘perfect’ loan move could tempt Arsenal - but should it?

17 Sept 2026 15:54 BST | 4 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Max Dowman gave Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta a reminder of his talent on Wednesday as he scored twice to help the Gunners to a 4-2 Carabao Cup success away against Ipswich.

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The 16-year-old’s impact once again shone the spotlight on him as he continues to develop at an exciting rate, yet first-team opportunities are likely to be limited for him at the Emirates Stadium.

Dowman, after all, favours the No.10 role, which is a position that has been nailed down by the in-form Martin Odegaard while Eberechi Eze will be next in line in usual circumstances.

The Carabao Cup runout was welcome game time for the talented youngster, but it also served as a reminder that he is capable of more regular exposure to senior football, having failed to play a minute for the Gunners this season before Wednesday.

With no prospect of Arsenal even considering a sale for the Hale End kid, the possibility of a loan move has been touted. TalkSport indicates that Luton Town enquired about taking Dowman in that capacity, with the move said to be “perfect” for the teenager due to the presence of former Gunners’ wonderkid Jack Wilshere in the Hatters’ dugout.

The Chelmsford-born talent will not be going to the League One side on loan, though.

So what is Arsenal’s best course of action for Dowman’s next steps?

Arsenal must decide what is best for Max Dowman

Arsenal’s priority is currently to maximise Dowman’s development to help him ultimately reach his potential.

As Dowman is still only 16, this needs to be done within the UK, so the possibility of a loan move abroad is off the table for the time being.

SciSports’ Career Advice tool, which rates potential moves based on a wide variety of metrics from development and game time to playing style and formation, indicates there is a small handful of clubs that may be able to give Dowman both the chance to improve his game and the type of meaningful first-team football that is not possible with Arsenal currently.

Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Coventry all emerge as potential destinations for Dowman in his favoured No.10 role. Coventry, in particular, look attractive across the board, though given the team’s likely ongoing struggles in the Premier League, this may not be the best environment for him to thrive in.

© IMAGO - Max Dowman, Aston Villa, Career Advice

Villa and Bournemouth, meanwhile, both secure an encouraging Club Fit score of 70.

In order to maximise playing time, meanwhile, Championship side Watford hit five stars in the second-tier, offering Dowman a high level of exposure to men’s football for the first time.

Arsenal have good reason to keep Max Dowman at home

Arsenal’s message for the moment, though, is that they want to keep Dowman under lock and key and allow him to develop at the Emirates.

“I think Jack's asked him a couple of times, Mikel, but I don't think he'll be going out on loan,” Luton head coach Mick Harford admitted to TalkSport.

Indeed, there’s a strong case for this stance being the right one at this stage in Dowman’s development. There’s not an outstanding option in terms of a loan deal, and at 16 years old, there is likely a limit to how much Arsenal want the teenager exposed to senior football at this stage in any case.

Keeping him under Arteta’s gaze therefore seems a sensible step for now, with the possibility of a loan next summer or even in 2028 something to be studied later.