Arsenal player set to be 'banned' from first-team dressing room this season due to 'unbelievable' reason

An Arsenal player is set to be 'banned' from the first-team dressing room due to a strict rule applied to all UK clubs.

Arsenal have flown to Asia for their pre-season tour of Singapore and and Hong Kong ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta was asked about a series of topics, including Thomas Partey's rape charges.

Ahead of the Gunners facing AC Milan on Wednesday, Arteta added: "We are super excited to be here. It’s been an incredible welcome from our supporters here, they are so passionate. We are adapting as well to the context, the weather, we weren't able to train this morning, so we have to adapt to those situations as well."

Arsenal's first-team stars will be in action during their pre-season tour of Asia, with Declan Rice and William Saliba to feature.

Arsenal are in Asia for a pre-season tour. Image: Getty

Max Dowman could also feature, having been included in Arsenal's 30-man travelling party.

Dowman, just 15, has been training with the senior squad for some time and travelled with the team to their winter training camp in January.

The attacking midfielder has been given the No.56 for the tour, with Arteta calling him a 'huge talent' and hinting that he could be part of his plans for the upcoming season.

If Dowman features for Arsenal in the 2025/26 campaign, then he may have to change away from his teammates as FA guidelines recommend that players under the age of 18, who are legally defined as children, do not change alongside adults.

Max Dowman during Arsenal training. Image: Getty

It won't be the first time Arteta has had to comply with this guideline as he suggested the rule was 'unbelievable' when Ethan Nwaneri wasn't allowed in the senior dressing room before he turned 18.

Dowman, who turns 16 in December, will likely have to follow the same practice as Nwaneri if he is called up to the first-team by Arteta.

The teenage sensation scored 19 goals and registered five assists in 23 games in all competitions for Arsenal's youth teams last season.