Max Dowman Matches Wayne Rooney Record with Brace in Arsenal Carabao Cup Victory

Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman scored twice in a 4-2 win against Ipswich Town to become the second 16-year-old in history to record a multi-goal game for a Premier League side.

Arsenal secured a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Tuesday, led by a brace from 16-year-old Max Dowman. The teenager opened the scoring in the 7th minute by intercepting a pass, exchanging touches with Eberechi Eze, and dribbling past Cedric Kipre to finish into the bottom corner. Dowman added his second goal 98 seconds after halftime, utilizing his left foot to convert a deflected pass from Martín Zubimendi. Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino also scored for the Gunners, while Anis Mehmeti and Chuba Akpom provided late goals for the hosts.

With this performance, Dowman joined Wayne Rooney as the only 16-year-olds to score multiple goals in a single match for a Premier League club. Rooney previously achieved the feat for Everton against Wrexham in October 2002. The result marks a sixth consecutive win across all competitions for Arsenal to start the season.

Manager Mikel Arteta noted that Dowman, who became the youngest player to start a Premier League fixture last season against Crystal Palace, played for the under-21s just three days prior to the cup tie. The victory followed a period where the midfielder had been an unused substitute for four consecutive matches. Arteta praised the youngster's physical application and character, stating that the player is coping with the demands of the senior level despite his age.