IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Max Dowman of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Noni Madueke during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal easily booked their place in round four(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Max Dowman scored twice as Arsenal cruised through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable 4-2 victory over Ipswich.
The Gunners wonderkid produced two classy goals to sandwich Noni Madueke's strike before Mikel Merino put the icing on the cake prior to a couple of consolation goals from the hosts. It's now seven wins from seven games in all competitions for Arsenal, who are enjoying best start to a season under Mikel Arteta.
Both managers showed where their priorities are with their team selections, as Gary O'Neil made 10 changes to the side who impressively beat Crystal Palace 3-2 away from home on Saturday. Meanwhile, Arteta made nine changes after their hard-fought 2-0 win at Sunderland over the weekend.
Here are five talking points from Portman Road.
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1. Teenage kicks
On night when one of Arsenal's rivals were faced with losing their teenage sensation, Max Dowman showed why he's got a bright future with the Gunners. His goal to break the deadlock oozed confidence, taking the ball from the toe of Viktor Gyokeres and gliding into the empty space.
Dowman sent Cedric Kipre for a hot dog with a lovely shuffle of his feet before rifling the ball into the back of the Ipswich net. His second goal came just two minutes after the restart and was a more cultured finish.
The 16-year-old stroked the ball home after good work from Martin Zubimendi and put the game to bed. Pre-match, Arteta warned Dowman that he'll need to earn his minutes in the first-team, and he did exactly that with a man-of-the-match performance that boosted his stock.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Max Dowman of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Max Dowman was simply outstanding (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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2. Madueke sends timely reminder
It's been slim pickings for Noni Madueke since he started the Community Shield clash with Manchester City last month. The winger only played 40 minutes of football in Arsenal's next five games, with Bukayo Saka firmly ahead of him in the pecking order.
And while there was a hint of fortune about his goal, Madueke made no mistake to double the Gunners' lead on 16 minutes with an emphatic finish across Christian Walton after a defensive mix-up. Given his lack of game time, the ex-Chelsea star isn't a lock to be named in England squad which will be announced on Friday, but that strike will certainly help his case.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Noni Madueke of Arsenal scores his team’s second goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Noni Madueke made it 2-0(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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3. Zubimendi's new role
First there was Thomas Partey, then Declan Rice and now Martin Zubimendi is Arsenal's next midfielder-turned-right-back. The Spaniard was deployed in a new-look back four after finding minutes hard to come by in his regular position so far this campaign.
With an assist to his name for Dowman's second, the experiment was looking like a success. But Jack Clarke's introduction caused problems for Zubimendi, as he skipped past him to set up Anis Mehmeti for a consolation goal.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal passes the ball during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Martin Zubimendi started at right-back(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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4. Gyokeres continues goal drought
When Arsenal paid £64million for Viktor Gyokeres little over a year ago, these were the sort of games you'd expect him to sit out. Instead, the striker finds himself playing second fiddle to Kai Havertz and having to feed off scraps.
Gyokeres only managed one shot against a porous Ipswich defence, so no wonder he's still without a goal this season. Unlikely to start against former club Brighton on Saturday, he'll be hoping to find his shooting boots during the international break.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres hasn't scored this season(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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5. Cup wait goes on for Ipswich
Only making it beyond the third round once in the last 15 seasons, the Carabao Cup isn't often a source of joy for Ipswich supporters. And their wait to make another deep run akin to their semi-final exit to Arsenal in 2011 goes on after this comprehensive defeat.
The top priority for O'Neil's side is and always will be survival, of course, but a cup run could've helped inspire a more memorable campaign than when they were last in the top flight. Until they enter the FA Cup in January, it's all on the Premier League.