Luton Town manager Jack Wilshere had enquired more than once about taking Arsenal starlet Max Dowman on loan during the recent summer transfer window, according to club legend Mick Harford.
The 16-year-old has long been considered one of the brightest upcoming stars in the English football, having made his debut when coming off the bench during the 5-0 victory over Leeds United in August 2025, and then becoming the Premier League’s youngest ever goalscorer when finding the net aged just 16 years and 73 days when finding the net against Everton last term.
He played 13 times in total for the Gunners, including three appearances in the Champions League, while this term has been on the fringes of the first team again, although did get his chance during the Carabao Cup third round trip to Ipswich Town earlier this week, opening the scoring after just seven minutes, also bagging his second moments after the interval too.
Max Dowman scores for Arsenal against Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup - pic: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)placeholder image
Max Dowman scores for Arsenal against Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup - pic: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
With Wilshere, who spent over 15 years at the Emirates Stadium during his own playing career, having come through the ranks, went on to manage the U18s after retiring, as he was well aware of Dowman’s talents, handing him his debut against Southampton when aged just 13, as speaking the time, he said: “We take a holistic view of the academy, pushing our players to excel.
"Debut opportunities aren't handed out lightly, and Max has demonstrated over the past few months that he deserves this chance. There are others on the verge of stepping up as well. He handled the moment admirably, sending an important message to the team that when we introduce players, they possess the quality to contribute effectively."
Still in close contact with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, Wilshere had stated before the season began that he would be interested in trying to bring in some of his former side’s young talents, but that ultimately didn’t happen, as although he did add five Premier League youngsters on loan, they were Harrison Ashby, Emilio Lawrence, Dan Gore, Jamie Donley and Tudor Mendel, joining from Newcastle United, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town.
However, it appears that Dowman had been on the Hatters’ wanted list, as when interviewed by talkSport, the hugely popular Harford, who has played for and managed the club, now Town’s senior scout and club ambassador, said: “I think Jack's asked him a couple of times, Mikel, but I don't think he'll be going out on loan.
"Dowman looks more of a wide man than a pocket player, but a wonderful talent. I think he will get more game time and I think if he produces, I think Arteta will play him. I'm a believer in, if you're ready, I don't care what age you are. If you're good enough, you'll play and I'm sure he will. He looks like he's going to be a superstar."
Wilshere has made it clear he is a fan of the teenager as well when discussing how Dowman was progressing with the Gunners in the summer, as speaking to Sky Sports, he added: “Last year he played a lot and Mikel puts a lot of demands, he wants a lot from his players in possession out of possession, and for him to trust someone who’s 16, to come into a team like that who are challenging right at the top of the league, that tells you how good he is. Everyone at the club saw that. I first saw him when he was 13 and you could tell straight away.
"It was just about giving him the right environment, the right challenge at the right time and just get him ready for Mikel. Mikel has done a great job as well over the last six months with him and there’s definitely more to come. The challenge for Max is to make sure it is really, really difficult for Mikel to leave him out and I have no doubt he can do that. I’m not going stand here and say we taught him loads and loads, it was giving him the right challenge whether that be in the 18s, or when we decided to put him in the U21s.
"He can do everything. You’d ask him to do something once and he would understand it straight away. It was a pleasure and now I watch on like an Arsenal fan and someone who worked with him. Mikel as well has done a top job with him and now it’s his challenge to get into the team. That's a mentality thing for him and I’m sure he will do it this season.”