Luton Town have made repeated approaches to Arsenal over taking Max Dowman on loan, according to senior scout Mick Harford.
The 16-year-old has returned to the spotlight after scoring twice in Arsenal’s 4-2 Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.
Dowman’s performance strengthened his case for further first-team opportunities, with Mikel Arteta already promising the teenager more Arsenal minutes after his display at Portman Road.
However, Luton manager Jack Wilshere has also been exploring the possibility of a reunion with his former Arsenal academy player.
Speaking to [talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/4586133/arsenal-max-dowman-loan-transfer-luton-jack-wilshere/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), Harford revealed that Wilshere has already approached Arteta more than once.
He said: “I think Jack’s asked him a couple of times, Mikel, but I don’t think he’ll be going out on loan.”
Wilshere knows Dowman particularly well.
The former Arsenal midfielder previously coached the teenager while managing the club’s Under-18 side, where Dowman produced two goals and seven assists in 12 appearances under him.
Wilshere is now approaching a year in charge at Luton, who are competing in League One.
That existing relationship makes their interest understandable, but Arsenal currently appear far more likely to continue developing Dowman within Arteta’s senior squad.
Dowman’s performance against Ipswich provided another reason for Arsenal to keep him close to the first team.
He scored twice as Arsenal progressed in the Carabao Cup, taking his senior tally to three goals in 14 appearances.
The brace also saw Dowman join Wayne Rooney in an exclusive goalscoring record for 16-year-olds representing Premier League clubs.
Arteta had told Dowman before the game that opportunities would come but needed to be earned.
The teenager could hardly have provided a stronger response.
Harford believes that should lead to further Arsenal involvement rather than a temporary move elsewhere.
He added that if Dowman continues producing when given opportunities, Arteta will continue to use him.
For Luton, that appears to make a loan increasingly difficult.
For Arsenal, it leaves Arteta with a different challenge: finding enough senior minutes for one of the club’s most exciting academy prospects while carefully managing a player still only 16.