Max Dowman produced a sensational two-goal display as Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 4-2 to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Mikel Arteta made nine changes at Portman Road, handing Dowman and 17-year-old Marli Salmon starts while Martín Zubimendi was used at right-back. Arsenal raced four goals clear before Anis Mehmeti and Chuba Akpom reduced the deficit late on.
Dowman scored either side of Noni Madueke’s strike before Mikel Merino added Arsenal’s fourth. You can read our full Ipswich 2-4 Arsenal match report.
Here are our Arsenal player ratings from Portman Road.
Arsenal player ratings vs Ipswich
Kepa Arrizabalaga — 6
Largely protected while Arsenal dominated. Made an important intervention during Ipswich’s improved second-half spell but will be disappointed the clean sheet disappeared.
Martín Zubimendi — 7.5
Asked to operate at right-back and adapted impressively. Defended one-on-one situations well and cleverly created Dowman’s second before Ipswich eventually found space down his side.
Marli Salmon — 7.5
An excellent first senior start. Calm in possession and rarely looked overwhelmed alongside Gabriel despite being only 17. Arteta has another academy defender worth watching.
Gabriel Magalhaes — 7
The experienced figure Arsenal needed alongside Salmon. Produced important defensive interventions and helped Arsenal establish complete control before being protected at half-time.
Myles Lewis-Skelly — 6.5
Back at left-back and generally secure. Inverted into midfield effectively at times but became frustrated as Arsenal lost some defensive control after the break.
Bruno Guimarães — 7.5
His aggression helped create Madueke’s goal and he later supplied Merino for the fourth. Another influential display without needing to dominate the ball.
Mikel Merino — 8.5
Outstanding. Created Madueke’s goal, continually escaped pressure and finished superbly from the edge of the area. Arsenal’s most complete senior performance of the night.
Noni Madueke — 8
Clinical for Arsenal’s second and consistently dangerous from the right. His direct running caused problems throughout before Arteta withdrew him late on.
Max Dowman — 9 — Man of the Match
Exceptional. His opener combined confidence, skill and composure before he calmly added another immediately after half-time. Two goals on his first senior start of the season and the defining performance of the tie.
Arteta has since explained how Arsenal intend to manage the teenager after such a remarkable night, with ReadArsenal covering his fresh Max Dowman promise after the Ipswich double.
Eberechi Eze — 6.5
Played his part in Dowman’s opener and showed flashes of quality, but this was a quieter attacking performance than Madueke’s on the opposite side.
Viktor Gyökeres — 5.5
The one Arsenal attacker who struggled to impose himself. Had little involvement around the box and registered only one shot before half-time. Arsenal were rampant without their striker ever truly joining the party.
Substitutes
Ezri Konsa — 6
Replaced Gabriel at half-time. Arsenal conceded twice after the change and he was involved around Akpom’s deflected late goal.
Theo Julienne — 6.5
A senior debut for the 18-year-old after replacing Guimarães. A significant academy moment and he handled the occasion sensibly.
Martin Ødegaard — 6.5
Helped Arsenal regain some composure after Ipswich’s strongest spell.
Christos Tzolis — 6.5
Immediately injected pace and ambition, driving towards goal shortly after arriving.
Ife Ibrahim — N/A
Introduced for the closing minutes as Arsenal finished the game with four teenagers on the pitch.
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