Why Max Dowman won't play for Arsenal against Sunderland as early injury hint dropped

By Ben Knapton | 12 Sep 2026 14:10, Last updated: 12 Sep 2026 14:10

Arsenal phenom Max Dowman volition not beryllium successful Mikel Arteta's squad erstwhile the Gunners look Sunderland successful Saturday night's Premier League clash.

The reigning champions volition purpose to marque it 4 for 4 successful the 2026-27 top-flight run astatine the Stadium of Light, aft beating Chelsea, Aston Villa and Coventry City successful their opening 3 games of the season.

Arteta besides oversaw a 1-0 Champions League triumph implicit Napoli connected Wednesday evening, erstwhile Dowman was an unused substitute arsenic helium awaits his archetypal minutes of the season.

The 16-year-old was besides near connected the seat successful the Gunners' victories implicit Coventry and Chelsea, aft not making the squad for the occurrence astatine Villa Park.

Dowman was ne'er expected to commencement the 8pm kickoff astatine the Stadium of Light, but an aboriginal determination has confirmed that the teen volition not beryllium progressive successful the Premier League game.

Max Dowman starts for Arsenal Under-21s against Chelsea

Before the Arsenal seniors play Sunderland, the Under-21s are taking connected Chelsea successful the Premier League 2, and Dowman was named successful the starting lineup for that game.

Dowman's engagement successful the youth-team lucifer - for what volition beryllium conscionable his sixth quality for the Under-21s - means helium volition play nary portion against the Black Cats.

The 2009-born starlet has already made his beingness felt successful 1 Premier League 2 lucifer this season, providing an assistance and playing the afloat 90 successful a 1-1 gully with Crystal Palace connected August 22.

While Dowman volition person to hold a small longer to marque his archetypal elder quality of the season, those minutes could get erstwhile Arsenal look Ipswich Town successful the EFL Cup connected Tuesday evening.

Fledgling centre-back Marli Salmon besides starts and captains Arsenal's Under-21s against Chelsea, but the 17-year-old is different who volition beryllium successful contention to marque the squad successful midweek.

Max Dowman determination hints astatine Arsenal wounded boost

Despite the exits of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri implicit the summer, Dowman's origin for elder minutes has not been aided by Arsenal having a fully-fit attacking contingent.

Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres are each up of Dowman successful the violative pecking order, but the winger's exclusion besides hints astatine a imaginable wounded boost for Arteta.

Cristhian Mosquera and Jurrien Timber are some connected the verge of returning from respective musculus and groin issues, and determination is simply a accidental that 1 - oregon some - are acceptable capable to marque the squad against Sunderland.

Dowman made the seat against Chelsea with some Mosquera and Timber missing, but helium has seemingly been sacrificed truthful that Arteta tin invited a much experienced look backmost into the fold.