Arsenal could request special dispensation from the Premier League after Kai Havertz injury

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.

The Gunners will be looking for ways to replace the injured Kai Havertz after the German forward was ruled out for the rest of the 2024/25 season.

Havertz, who has scored 15 goals in 34 appearances for Mikel Arteta's side this season, sustained a torn hamstring during their warm weather training camp in Dubai last week.

After a specialist review and assessment confirmed that the injury will require surgery, the club released a statement to confirm the news every Arsenal fan was dreading.

"Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season," the statement read.

Havertz joins the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines, meaning Arteta has a serious lack of firepower in forward areas. But what about youngster Max Dowman?

The 15-year-old attacking midfielder, who has been compared to Kaka by Arsenal academy coach Gustavo Oliveira, is currently unable to make his Premier League bow, despite training with the first-team squad.

As per Premier League rules, a player who is placed in an age group below under-16 level is not allowed to be named in a first-team club’s team sheet or participate in a league match.

Ahead of the new campaign, Dowman was named in Arsenal's under-15 squad.

But according to the Daily Mail, the Gunners may have the opportunity to request special dispensation to use the highly-rated player given their current situation.

The report adds: "It not clear whether the Premier League would accept any application."

Mikel Merino and Max Dowman during the club's mid-season training camp in Dubai. Image credit: Getty

Dowman, who turned 15 in December, has featured heavily for Arsenal's under-18 side this season, and even came off the bench for their under-21 team.

Back in January, Mikel Arteta was full of praise for the youngster.

"[He is] very impressive," the Spaniard told journalist Jordan Davies. "Some of the things he [Dowman] does are unbelievable. We have a lot of belief we can develop him into one of our own."

Arteta added: "There are a lot of restrictions for his age so we will have to wait and see. He is taking fast steps."