Arsenal make Max Dowman loan stance clear as January decision approaches

Arsenal have already received approaches over a potential loan move for Max Dowman, but Mikel Arteta says the club currently have no intention of letting the teenager leave.

Dowman continues to make an impression around Arsenal’s first team, scoring twice in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich. The 16-year-old made six Premier League appearances last season and also became the youngest player to feature in the Champions League.

He turns 17 at the end of December, making him eligible for a loan move when the January transfer window opens.

Arteta confirmed Arsenal have not seriously considered the possibilities presented to them because their plan was always to keep Dowman around the senior squad.

“We haven't really listened to any of the possibilities because we were crystal clear that we wanted to have him in the squad,” Arteta said.

That position is not permanent, however.

Arteta explained that Arsenal intend to reassess Dowman’s development every six months, considering his playing time, the quality of those minutes and what the first-team squad needs.

“We have to be open but now the focus is to be here and to impact the team,” he added.

Arteta does not believe Dowman’s age alone should prevent Arsenal from considering a temporary move in the future.

The Arsenal boss joined Paris Saint-Germain himself at 17 and believes the success of any loan depends heavily on the environment, manager and opportunities available.

For now, he believes Dowman is already in the right place.

“Now he is in a good place, let's keep him here,” Arteta said.

Arsenal previously took a patient approach with Ethan Nwaneri before eventually sending him to Marseille during the second half of last season. Nwaneri was 18 when Arteta decided he needed the experience of being “thrown into the sharks”.

Dowman could eventually follow a similar pathway, but his immediate future remains at Arsenal.

His performances over the coming months will help determine whether that changes when the club conducts its next development review.

Dowman will remain part of Arteta’s first-team plans for now after strengthening his case with two goals against Ipswich.

January could bring another decision if interested clubs return, but Arsenal’s priority will be determining whether Dowman is receiving enough meaningful first-team football before considering a temporary move.