Arsenal’s 16-year-old midfielder, Max Dowman, scored twice as the Gunners defeated Ipswich Town 4-2 in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Portman Road on Tuesday.
Dowman opened the scoring after just seven minutes, producing a fine solo effort after winning possession and combining with Eberechi Eze before weaving past Cedric Kipre and finding the bottom corner.
Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 16th minute when Noni Madueke finished clinically after Mikel Merino picked him out with a chipped pass.
Ipswich struggled to contain the visitors, who went into the break two goals ahead.
Dowman struck again just 98 seconds into the second half, controlling Martin Zubimendi’s deflected pass before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.
The brace made Dowman only the second 16-year-old to score twice for a Premier League side in a League Cup match, following Wayne Rooney’s feat for Everton against Wrexham in 2002.
Mikel Merino added Arsenal’s fourth goal in the 58th minute, firing home off the post after Dowman allowed a pass from Bruno Guimarães to run into his path.
Ipswich pulled one back four minutes later through Anis Mehmeti, who converted Jack Clarke’s cut-back, before former Arsenal academy forward Chuba Akpom scored in the 91st minute to reduce the deficit further.
However, Arsenal held on comfortably to advance to the next round, with Dowman’s outstanding display providing the major talking point from the 4-2 victory.
