# Arsenal's 16-year-old star shines in Carabao Cup rout

> Max Dowman scored twice as a heavily-rotated Arsenal side thrashed Ipswich Town 4-2 in the third round.
- Title: Arsenal's 16-year-old star shines in Carabao Cup rout · SI
- Summary: Max Dowman scored twice as a heavily-rotated Arsenal side thrashed Ipswich Town 4-2 in the third round. Arsenal's depth is exceptional, with even…
- Keywords: arsenal, max dowman, ipswich town, carabao cup, mikel arteta, noni madueke, mikel merino, marli salmon, martín zubimendi, portman road, premier league, youth players
- Source: SI — https://si.com/soccer/arsenal-player-ratings-ipswich-town-gunners-overwhelm-tractor-boys-carabao-cup
- Published: 2026-09-15T21:12:16+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: arsenal, max dowman, ipswich town, carabao cup, mikel arteta, noni madueke, mikel merino, marli salmon, martín zubimendi, portman road, premier league, youth players
## Arsenal cruise past Ipswich
Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 4-2 in the Carabao Cup third round. The scoreline flatters the hosts, as the Gunners dominated throughout.
## 16-year-old Dowman scores twice
Max Dowman led a heavily-rotated Arsenal side with a brace. The teenager danced around Portman Road in his first senior start of the season.
## Madueke and Merino also score
Noni Madueke got his first goal of the season after a creative performance. Mikel Merino blasted a left-footed shot from the top of the box for Arsenal's fourth.
## Late defensive lapses allowed goals
Arsenal got careless on defense around the hour mark. Ipswich scored two late consolation goals that will frustrate manager Mikel Arteta.
## Arsenal's depth looks exceptional
No matter which team Arteta fields, Arsenal maintains dominance and discipline. The depth promises another silverware-laden year.
## Nine new players started
Arteta made wholesale changes from Saturday's match at Sunderland. He fielded nine new players with 10 positional changes.
## Ipswich not pushovers this season
The newly-promoted team has held its own in the Premier League. They upset Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst Park over the weekend.
## Arteta gains confidence in bench
The manager will walk away with even greater confidence in his squad depth. The only concern is the team's ability to keep its foot on the gas.
## Kepa untested in goal
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made his first start of the regular season. He was wholly untested throughout the match.
## Zubimendi plays unusual right back
Martín Zubimendi got his first start in an unusual right back position. He defended well one-on-one but was burned for Ipswich's first goal.
## 17-year-old Salmon impresses at center back
Marli Salmon proved Arteta right for giving him responsibility. The teenager wasn't panicked under pressure.
## Lewis-Skelly returns to left back
Myles Lewis-Skelly made his first appearance at left back since April. His versatility will be relied upon in the pursuit of multiple trophies.
## Merino anchors midfield strongly
Mikel Merino was a strong midfield anchor in his second start of the season. He assisted Madueke's finish and scored one himself.
## Madueke patient on the wing
Noni Madueke was patient and composed on the right wing. He knew he wouldn't have to wait long to find the back of the net.

> So patient and composed on the right wing. Knew he wouldn't have to wait long to find the back of the net.
## Dowman scores in just six minutes
The 16-year-old needed just six minutes to open his account. He used two quick touches to dance past Cédric Kipré and blast a right-footed shot.

> Max will have his chance. He will have his minutes and he will have to earn them like anybody else.
## Second youngest to score twice
Dowman is just the second 16-year-old to have a two-goal performance for a Premier League team in any competition. Wayne Rooney did it for Everton in 2002.
## Salmon calm under pressure
The 17-year-old center back was calm in transition and under pressure with the ball. He connected brilliantly with both Zubimendi and Gabriel.
## Arsenal clinical with chances
Arsenal were clinical in their attempts, well-exceeding their 0.95 expected goals. The Gunners made the most of all four big chances they created.
## Dowman efficient with three shots
Dowman capitalized twice on just three total shots. This was the joint-most taken by any Arsenal player in the match.
## Arsenal dominated possession and passing
The Gunners controlled 59% of possession with 89% pass accuracy. They committed 13 fouls but weren't shown a single yellow card.
## Key takeaway

Arsenal's depth is exceptional, with even heavily-rotated lineups maintaining dominance and young talents like 16-year-old Max Dowman delivering star performances.