Jack Wilshere has put Luton Town in the conversation for one of Arsenal’s brightest young players, saying he would love to sign Max Dowman on loan if the chance comes this summer. The Luton manager, who once worked with Dowman in Arsenal’s under-18 side, also said he would call Mikel Arteta about Ethan Nwaneri if Arsenal do not want him.
Wilshere made the comments on talkSPORT, where he was asked about the possibility of borrowing young talent from the club where he built his reputation as a player and later coached. He said, “The answer to that is yes! Whoever Mikel doesn’t want, I’ll just call him and ask him.”
The pitch comes at a time when Dowman, 16, is already pushing for a bigger role at Arsenal. He made 12 first-team appearances this season and was part of the squad that won the 2025-26 Premier League title, becoming the youngest ever Premier League title winner in the process. Arsenal could yet decide that the next step for him is a loan spell rather than more minutes at the Emirates.
Wilshere’s interest is not coming out of nowhere. He appointed Dowman to Arsenal’s under-18 side when the midfielder was 13 years old, and his ties to the club run deep through both his playing career and his time in charge of the academy side. That connection is what makes the idea of Luton as a possible landing spot feel more than just a passing remark.
For Luton, the remarks arrive as the club resets for another season in League One. Wilshere took over as manager in October and could not quite deliver promotion in 2026, but he did oversee a strong finish: eight wins and two draws in the final 10 matches, with the Hatters missing the play-offs by one point. They will stay in the third tier next season and are already planning for another push.
The opening Wilshere is offering is clear enough. If Arsenal decide Dowman needs senior football, Luton have a manager who knows exactly how to handle him — and who is already willing to make the phone call.
