22 May 2026 14:06 BST |
4 min read
Luton Town manager Jack Wilshere has admitted that he would love to sign Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman on loan this summer if the opportunity arises.
The former Gunners midfielder was appointed as Luton’s new manager in October and after a slow start, he oversaw a major improvement in 2026, with the club narrowly missing out on the League One play-offs by one point despite eight wins and two draws in their final 10 matches of the season.
As a result, they will remain in the third tier next season and attention has already turned to the summer transfer window as they look to bolster their squad with the necessary reinforcements to secure promotion next year.
Wilshere remains closely connected to Arsenal following a hugely successful playing career at the club and a spell in charge of their U18 side, and he has played a key role in Dowman’s development as a player.
Wilshere handed Dowman his debut in Arsenal’s U18 side as a 13-year-old and the teenager has continued to grow at a rapid rate ever since, becoming the youngest ever Premier League title winner thanks to the Gunners’ triumph in 2025-26.
Dowman has made 12 first-team appearances for Arsenal this season and he is likely to be handed an even more prominent role by Mikel Arteta next year if he remains at the club.
However, Arsenal could instead opt to send the teenager out on loan to gain valuable senior experience and Wilshere has now thrown Luton’s name into the ring as he attempts to secure a reunion with Dowman at Kenilworth Road.
When asked if he would like to sign Dowman or fellow Arsenal academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri on loan this summer, Wilshere told eSPORTY: “The answer to that is yes! Whoever Mikel doesn’t want, I’ll just call him and ask him.”
Analysis: Should Arsenal send Max Dowman out on loan this summer?
At just 16 years old, Dowman’s senior career is still in its infancy and Arsenal don’t need to rush into any major decisions that could stunt his development.
As a result, keeping him in the Gunners dressing room, and training with some of the best players in the world, could be the smartest decision available, before potentially looking to finalise a loan deal next summer.
However, Bukayo Saka went straight into the first-team at the Emirates Stadium without a loan move and the early indications suggest that Dowman may also be good enough to be handed a prominent senior role very soon.
A temporary move to Luton may therefore not be the best course of action, even if battling against League One defenders could be useful for Dowman’s physical growth as a footballer.
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