Sixteen-year-old star Max Dowman was Arsenal’s brightest star in Mikel Arteta’s side’s 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
Dowman opened the scoring after just seven minutes at Portman Road before Noni Madueke doubled Arsenal’s advantage.
The teenager added his second shortly after half-time, with Mikel Merino completing the scoring for the visitors.
Ipswich pulled goals back through Anis Mehmeti and former Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom, but Arteta’s side had already established a commanding lead and comfortably progressed.
Sky the limit for Dowman
Arteta was particularly impressed by Dowman, who became only the second 16-year-old to score twice in a match for a Premier League club, matching a feat achieved by Wayne Rooney in 2002.
“He was brilliant,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
“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.”
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Scoreline not a true reflection
For Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil, the final scoreline did not reflect how competitive his side felt the game was.
“We got punished badly. They didn’t have many shots. When they did, they all went in,” O’Neil said.
“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.”
O’Neil was encouraged by Ipswich’s response after falling four goals behind, with Mehmeti and Akpom reducing the deficit.
“It was never a 4-0 game, so for it to end up a bit closer was good,” he added.
“We got punished by a very good, clinical side.”
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