Max Dowman made history with two impressive goals as Arsenal cruised past Ipswich Town 4-2 to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round.
The 16-year-old was handed his first start of the season alongside 17-year-old centre-back Marli Salmon, and he quickly justified Mikel Arteta’s decision to trust the teenagers.
Dowman opened the scoring after just seven minutes with a superb individual effort, winning possession in midfield before exchanging passes with Eberechi Eze and driving into the box.
He left two Ipswich defenders on the ground before calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Arsenal an early lead.
Dowman produces two different finishes
Arsenal doubled their advantage when Noni Madueke finished from close range after getting on the end of Martin Merino’s flicked pass.
Dowman then added his second after the break, showing a different side to his game. He controlled Martin Zubimendi’s pass inside the box before keeping his composure to roll the ball into the far corner.
The teenager also played a role in Arsenal’s fourth, allowing the ball to run through to Merino, who struck against the inside of the post.
Ipswich responded with goals from Anis Mehmeti and Chuba Akpom, but the late comeback never looked likely as Arsenal comfortably protected their advantage.
Teenager joins Rooney in record books
Dowman’s brace puts him in an exclusive group of 16-year-olds to score twice for a Premier League club in a single competitive match.
He is only the second player of that age to achieve the feat, following Wayne Rooney, who scored twice for Everton against Wrexham in the League Cup in 2002.
Dowman had made 13 appearances last season and became the youngest player to score in Premier League history when he found the net against Everton. He had, however, been an unused substitute in Arsenal’s matches this season before being handed his opportunity at Portman Road.
