Arsenal advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Max Dowman scored twice, with Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino also on target. Ipswich pulled two goals back through Anis Mehmeti and former Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom, but it was not enough to stop Arsenal from progressing.
Dowman, aged 16, made his first competitive start of the season and opened the scoring after just over six minutes. He won the ball high up the pitch, played a one-two with Ebere Eze, then beat Cedric Kipre before slotting into the bottom corner past Christian Walton. At 16 years and 258 days, Dowman became Arsenal's second-youngest scorer in the competition, behind only Cesc Fabregas, who scored against Wolves at 16 years and 212 days.
Arsenal doubled their lead soon after. Bruno Guimaraes intercepted a pass from Walton, the ball fell to Merino, who chipped it to Madueke, and the England international smashed his shot into the bottom corner. Ipswich had a chance in the 19th minute when Abdoul Ouattara's cross was palmed away by Kepa Arrizabalaga, but Zian Flemming's volley was cleared by Marli Salmon. A long ball from Ouattara then found Flemming at the back post, but his effort went over the bar.
Salmon, who turned 17 just over two weeks ago, showed composure alongside Gabriel. He carried the ball into midfield, and a move ended with Eze's shot being blocked by Ipswich captain Darnell Furlong. At the other end, Jaden Philogene got to the byline, but Kepa dealt with his low cross.
Within 90 seconds of the second half, Arsenal had a third. Madueke found Martin Zubimendi, who flicked the ball through to Dowman via a deflection off Jacob Greaves, and Dowman slotted into the bottom corner. That made him the second 16-year-old to score twice in a game for a Premier League side in all competitions, behind Wayne Rooney, who did it in October 2002.
Madueke then went close, breaking clear and firing across goal, narrowly missing Viktor Gyokeres. A fourth goal came minutes later when Guimaraes passed to Merino, who took a touch and fired into the net off the post.
Ipswich made substitutions, bringing on Chuba Akpom. Another substitute, Jack Clarke, set up the home side's first goal in the 62nd minute. Clarke raced down the left and found Anis Mehmeti unmarked, and Mehmeti fired into the bottom corner.
After that goal, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta brought on Theo Julienne for his debut, replacing Bruno Guimaraes, with Zubimendi moving into midfield. Julienne, who started at right-back in pre-season against Como, had to stay alert, blocking crosses as Ipswich pushed for another.
Source: www.arsenal.com — Read the original article
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