How Long Will Max Dowman Be Injured For? Arsenal Midfielder Picks Up Ankle Injury

Arsenal have confirmed that Max Dowman has picked up an ankle injury – so how long will he be out for?

The 15-year-old midfielder has suffered ankle ligament damage, adding to the club’s mounting injury list.

Max Dowman Injury

Dowman picked up the injury during a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United, coming off after a challenge that caused immediate concern.

Scans later revealed ankle ligament damage, though the teenager is not expected to require surgery.

The setback arrives just months after breaking into the Arsenal first-team picture.

Dowman became the youngest player in Champions League history earlier this season and has already made five senior appearances.

How Long Will Max Dowman Be Out?

The expected timeline for Max Dowman’s recovery is around two months.

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have both confirmed that the midfielder will be out “for weeks”, while UEFA’s classification of his injury as a 60-day absence reinforces the projected timescale.

Because his injury meets UEFA’s threshold for a “long-term” issue, Arsenal were allowed to remove him from their Champions League squad and replace him with Gabriel Jesus.

Dowman will not be eligible to play in UEFA competitions again until February 6, even if he recovers earlier.

Will Max Dowman Need Surgery?

No. Current assessment indicates that surgery is not required.

The injury will be managed through rehabilitation, strengthening and load management, which aligns with the projected two-month recovery window.

When Will Max Dowman Play Again?

If rehabilitation goes as planned, Dowman’s earliest possible return will be around early February, but a more likely competitive comeback is expected around mid-February.

It is a blow to Dowman’s hopes of breaking the record for the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer, but he will still have several months to achieve it when he returns.

Arsenal expect to place him on their UEFA B-list when squad submissions reopen in January.

Why Arsenal Removed Max Dowman From Their Champions League Squad

UEFA now allows clubs to replace injured outfield players at any point before and including Matchday 6, provided the injury rules the player out for at least 60 days.

Dowman’s ankle ligament damage meets that requirement, and as a result, Gabriel Jesus has replaced him in the Champions League A-list.

Dowman will move to the B-list in January, but he remains ineligible for UEFA games until his 60-day window closes.

Arsenal Injury List

Dowman is one of 28 Arsenal injuries this season, the highest total in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s squad depth has been strongly tested, and Arteta says they are trapped in a “really dangerous circle” where absences force heavy minutes on other players, increasing the risk of further injuries.

Current absentees include centre-back trio William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Cristhian Mosquera, while forwards Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard remain out.

Declan Rice is also a doubt for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Club Brugge.

The timing of Dowman’s injury adds further strain during a December schedule that includes important fixtures against Wolves, Everton, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Aston Villa.