Arsenal may have the opportunity to request ‘special dispensation’ from the Premier League to use a player who is widely regarded as one of their biggest academy talents.
Arsenal faces a major setback with Kai Havertz ruled out for the remainder of the 2024/25 season due to a torn hamstring suffered during a training camp in Dubai. The German forward, who has been a key player with 15 goals in 34 appearances, will undergo surgery, with his recovery expected to extend into the preseason.
This injury adds to Arsenal’s growing list of sidelined attackers, including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus, leaving Mikel Arteta with limited options in the final third. One potential solution could be the highly-rated youngster Max Dowman.
The 15-year-old attacking midfielder has been drawing comparisons to Kaka, with Arsenal academy coach Gustavo Oliveira praising his potential. However, Premier League regulations currently prevent players below the under-16 level from being named in a first-team squad or participating in league matches.
Despite Dowman training with the senior squad, Arsenal would need to request special dispensation from the Premier League to allow him to play. It remains uncertain whether such an application would be approved, but given the club’s injury crisis, they may explore all possible options.
Max Dowman, who turned 15 in December, has already made a strong impression at Arsenal, regularly featuring for the under-18s and even making an appearance for the under-21s.
Mikel Arteta has been full of praise for the young midfielder, highlighting his exceptional talent. “Some of the things he does are unbelievable,” Arteta told journalist Jordan Davies in January. “We have a lot of belief we can develop him into one of our own.”
However, Arteta acknowledged the age-related restrictions that currently prevent Dowman from making his Premier League debut. “There are a lot of restrictions for his age, so we will have to wait and see. He is taking fast steps,” he added.
Given Arsenal’s ongoing injury crisis in attack, the club may consider seeking special dispensation to include Dowman in the first-team squad. Whether the Premier League would approve such a request remains uncertain, but his rapid progression suggests he could be a key player for Arsenal in the future.
