Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman is expected to be out for around two months after sustaining ankle ligament damage.
Dowman, 15, suffered the injury following a challenge by an opponent during a friendly against Manchester United on Saturday. He is not expected to require surgery.
Arsenal confirmed on Tuesday that the England youth international had been taken out of their Champions League squad following an ankle injury, with Gabriel Jesus added in his place.
Newly-amended UEFA rules state that outfield players can be replaced in the European competition’s squads in the event of a “long-term” injury with an absence of at least 60 days.
Asked about Dowman during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference before Arsenal’s Champions League tie against Club Brugge, Mikel Arteta said: “With Max, unfortunately, he picked up an injury last weekend, and he had to come off, so we did some scans and he is going to be out for weeks.”
After impressing in pre-season Dowman made his first-team debut for Arsenal in the 5-0 victory over Leeds United in August, becoming the second-youngest player to appear for the north London side, behind team-mate Ethan Nwaneri.
In November, he became the youngest player in Champions League history after coming on as a substitute in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague, aged 15 years and 308 days.
Dowman has made five senior appearances across all competitions for Arsenal this season, providing one assist.
It was confirmed in October the club had reached an agreement with the midfielder to sign scholarship terms, with a professional contract expected to follow when he turns 17.
Arsenal have contended with a number of injury absentees during the 2025-26 campaign, with Cristhian Mosquera, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba currently sidelined.
