Arsenal secured a place in the next round of the EFL Cup after defeating Ipswich Town 4-2 at Portman Road, with 16-year-old Max Dowman scoring twice in a standout performance.
Dowman also provided an assist for Mikel Merino, while Noni Madueke added another goal for the Gunners. Anis Mehmeti and Chuba Akpom scored for Ipswich but could not prevent their side from exiting the competition.
Arsenal took the lead after just seven minutes when Dowman exchanged passes with Eberechi Eze before beating Cedric Kipre and finishing into the bottom-left corner.
The visitors extended their advantage nine minutes later. Bruno Guimaraes capitalised on a misplaced pass from Christian Walton, before Merino’s deflected ball fell to Madueke, who struck a volley from the right side of the penalty area.
Dowman doubled his personal tally only two minutes into the second half. After receiving a pass from Martin Zubimendi, the youngster curled the ball beyond Walton to restore Arsenal’s two-goal cushion.
Merino then added Arsenal’s fourth shortly before the hour mark, finishing from the edge of the box.
Ipswich reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute through Mehmeti, who converted after substitute Jack Clarke immediately made an impact by setting up the Albanian.
Arsenal remained in control for the remainder of the contest, although Akpom, a former Arsenal forward, scored deep into stoppage time when his swivelled effort took a deflection before beating goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Dowman makes his mark
Before the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had said Dowman would need to compete for playing time like every other member of the squad. The teenager responded with a performance that strengthened his case for more opportunities.
Dowman registered three shots, matching the highest total among Arsenal players, and accounted for 0.34 of the team’s 0.95 expected goals (xG). He also topped Arsenal’s numbers for duels won, claiming seven of 15, and possessions won in the final third, with three.
The brace also placed Dowman in the record books. At 16, he became only the second 16-year-old to score twice in a single match for a Premier League club in all competitions, following Wayne Rooney, who achieved the feat for Everton against Wrexham in the EFL Cup in October 2002.
At 16 years and 258 days, Dowman is also the second-youngest player to score for a Premier League club in the EFL Cup. Cesc Fabregas remains the youngest, having scored for Arsenal at 16 years and 212 days in 2003, while former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere ranks third at 16 years and 266 days.
