A rich man’s problem. Champion of England and finalist in the last Champions League, Arsenal has an XXL squad. Currently second in the Premier League, the Gunners have quality players and a real wealth of talent. Indeed, players like Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyökeres are chomping at the bit. This is also the case for the young nugget Max Dowman.
Only 16 years old, the right winger has to deal with competition from Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke. Having to wait until mid-September to finally express himself with a double against Ipswich Town (4-2) in the League Cup, he paid the competition and only played 9 minutes against Brighton during Arsenal’s heavy defeat (3-0). With little playing time, he was at least able to have fun during the international break by scoring against Ireland with the England U19 team.
Arsenal in dilemma
Minor, the native of Chelmsford is in a bit of an impasse within his own club. If he is good, even excellent when he plays, it is difficult for him to overthrow the hierarchy since the statuses are well anchored. Besides, he couldn’t go on loan this summer because he is too young. In fact, he will only celebrate his 17th birthday on December 31. An age which will allow him to finally be able to be loaned and that is good, because the winter transfer window will open its doors the next day.
However, Arsenal don’t really want to loan him out and are counting on themselves if it doesn’t really show in his playing time. The player isn’t worried yet and he comes from a family that supports Arsenal and appreciates his development. Max Dowman also feels that he will not be better off elsewhere and that there is no urgency. Mikel Arteta also affirms his confidence in him while opening the door to a loan.
“ We will evaluate every six months where we are and what is the best thing to do for him, then we will make the appropriate decision. It depends on many factors. His needs, those of the team, the players available in the squad, the playing time he plays and the quality of these minutes “, he said in September. Each transfer window promises to be a real headache for Arsenal with the hesitation between allowing him to progress and the option of loaning him out so that he can get more playing time.
