Max Dowman shone in his first appearance of the season by scoring twice as Arsenal eased to a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup third round.
The 16-year-old star seized his chance in Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up, netting the opener in just the seventh minute with an assured finish after a solo run, then coolly slotted home shortly after half-time in another eye-catching performance that will only increase the hype around him.
Arsenal were dominant from the start despite making nine changes from Saturday’s win at Sunderland, as Noni Madueke’s clinical volley gave the visitors a two-goal lead inside 16 minutes.
Mikel Merino made it four before the hour mark with a placed shot in off the left post from just inside the area, but Ipswich soon replied through Anis Mehmeti’s close-range finish before Chuba Akpom netted in stoppage time to limit the damage.
The key moments from Portman Road
- 7: GOAL! Dowman bursts through the middle of the pitch and goes alone, shimmying past Cedric Kipre before firing into the bottom left corner.
- 16: GOAL! Bruno Guimaraes wins the ball back and Merino plays in Madueke, who clinically volleys into the net.
- 45: Viktor Gyokeres struggles to be involved in the first-half, having just six touches.
- 47: GOAL! Dowman strikes again as he controls Martin Zubimendi’s pass in the area and coolly slots home.
- 58: GOAL! Arsenal are running riot as Merino places a shot in off the left post.
- 62: GOAL! Ipswich give their fans something to cheer through Mehmeti’s close-range finish.
- 90+1: GOAL! Akpom further reduces the deficit, turning in the area and sending a deflected shot past Kepa.
Dowman takes latest chance but Arteta urges caution
Max Dowman put Arsenal ahead at Ipswich
Max Dowman has had to wait patiently for opportunities in the Arsenal first-team.
Mikel Arteta has managed the prodigy carefully since his big moment last season, scoring and assisting during a vital 2-0 win at home to Everton in March on their way to the Premier League title.
Dowman played just six more times at the end of last season, largely reduced to cameo appearances and had been an unused substitute on four occasions this term. On Saturday, he played for the U21s in their 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.
But while Viktor Gyokeres failed to take his opportunity at Portman Road, Dowman excelled and the ease at which he took his goals was frightening.
His first came from a burst of pace through midfield, followed by a shimmy past Cedric Kipre, leaving the defender on the ground, before sending goalkeeper Christian Walton the wrong way with his weaker right foot.
Dowman had to be more precise for his second. Martin Zubimendi’s pass deflected off Jacob Greaves’s left arm and Dowman had to adjust to the ricochet with two quick touches to setup up his accurate and composed finish.
Arsenal fans will be desperate to see more of the wonderkid but Arteta will be careful.
“He’s 16-years-old and we need to be really cautious with that,” he said. “We don’t want to stop him, we don’t want to put any breaks into him, we need to develop him and we are fully aware of what he needs. He will have opportunities to play.”
Arteta: Dowman was outstanding
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports:
“A very happy night in a lot of aspects – the way we played, the victory, to maintain the momentum.
“Some of the individual performances as well were really good. Some debuts as well. So many minutes for a lot of players so in general a really good night.”
On Dowman: “He was brilliant. Some of the individual actions he made to make the difference and to impact the game were outstanding. We know the talent, we need to look after him.
“We know the talent is there. The environment around him is really good as well so step by step.”
O’Neil: We were punished by a very good side
Ipswich head coach Gary O’Neil told Sky Sports:
“We got punished badly. They didn’t have many shots. When they did, they all went in. We got punished for a couple of mistakes. They showed a couple of moments of quality and without there being too much in the game, we were four behind.
“The lads had to dig in and responded really well. We knew there were goals there for us. We created loads of opportunities and didn’t get our shot off or missed the last pass. It always felt like we carried a threat.
“We scored a couple towards the end, which the lads deserved, it was never a 4-0 game, so for it to end up a bit closer was good. We got punished by a very good, clinical side.”
When’s the fourth-round draw and next fixtures?
The Carabao Cup fourth-round draw will take place live on Sky Sports after Manchester United vs Brighton on Wednesday.
The fourth-round ties will take place in the week commencing October 26.
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