Arsenal cruised into the last 16 of the EFL Cup as teenager Max Dowman scored twice in a routine 4-2 win at Ipswich Town.
Mikel Arteta made nine changes from the side that won 2-0 at Sunderland last weekend, but there was never any doubt that the Gunners would continue their perfect start to the season.
Sixteen-year-old Dowman produced a demonstration of his remarkable promise with a fine brace, the first coming in the seventh minute through an outstanding solo effort.
Noni Madueke made the most of a defensive mistake from Ipswich to make it 2-0, and a coolly taken second from Dowman followed by a first goal of the season for Mikel Merino put the game beyond doubt. Anis Mehmeti pulled one back for Ipswich and Chuba Akpom made the scoreline more respectable in stoppage time, but those goals were nothing more than scant consolation as their focus turns back towards the Premier League.
Dowman broke the deadlock in fine style, nipping in to win the ball in midfield before collecting a return pass from Eberechi Eze, dummying a defender and powering into the bottom-left corner.
Madueke then gave Ipswich a mountain to climb as he lashed home on the half-volley, the winger finding the same corner as Dowman in fine fashion from Mikel Merino’s lofted pass after Bruno Guimaraes had forced another error from the hosts.
Mehmeti saw a chance to halve the deficit go begging when he volleyed over from close range, a miss that proved costly as Arsenal pulled further away to minutes into the second half, Dowman steering home his second after latching on to Martin Zumbimendi’s deft pass.
The fourth was more emphatic as Merino fired in off the post from the edge of the area, though Ipswich did quickly respond as Menmeti slotted in after good work down the left from substitute Jack Clarke.
Ipswich had the final say, Akpom turning to collect Leif Davis’ ball in before seeing his shot deflected home by Myles Lewis-Skelly, but the night belonged to Dowman.
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