Ipswich 2-4 Arsenal: Max Dowman shines with two goals as Gunners ease into Carabao Cup fourth round

16.09.2026, 02:08 skysports.com

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.

Max Dowman has had to wait patiently for opportunities in Arsenal's first team.

Mikel Arteta has managed the prodigy carefully since his big moment last season, scoring in 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 in cameos, and was 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 adjusted to the ricochet with two quick touches to set up an accurate, 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 brakes on him, we need to develop him, and we are fully aware of what he needs. He will have opportunities to play."

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."

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."

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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