Arsenal youngster Max Dowman has been nominated for the Carabao Cup Player of the Round award following his outstanding display against Ipswich Town.
The 16-year-old has been shortlisted alongside Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie, Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsen and Manchester City teenager Floyd Samba.
Dowman earned his nomination after scoring twice as Arsenal secured a 4-2 victory at Portman Road to progress from the third round.
It was his first appearance of the season, but the Hale End graduate required little time to make his mark after being handed a starting opportunity by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Dowman opened the scoring with an excellent individual effort, driving towards the Ipswich penalty area before evading his marker and finding the bottom corner.
His second demonstrated another side of his game as he helped initiate the move before continuing his run and producing a composed finish after the interval.
The brace was the first of Dowman’s senior career and provided another demonstration of why he is regarded as one of the outstanding prospects to emerge from Arsenal’s academy.
Arteta was full of praise afterwards, describing the teenager’s contribution as “brilliant” while stressing Arsenal’s responsibility to manage his development carefully.
Dowman’s performance has now also received recognition from the EFL, which highlighted the range of qualities displayed by the youngster across his two goals when announcing its four-player shortlist.
Competition for the award is significant, with Christie nominated after scoring a hat-trick in Bournemouth’s 4-0 victory over Lincoln City.
Strand Larsen scored twice and helped create another goal as Crystal Palace defeated Middlesbrough, while 17-year-old Samba marked his Manchester City senior debut with two goals against Norwich City.
Dowman’s nomination nevertheless represents another significant milestone during a remarkable period in his young career.
The attacking midfielder became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history last season and has already featured in both domestic and European competition despite not turning 17 until December.
His development has inevitably increased calls for greater first-team involvement, although Arteta has consistently resisted placing unnecessary expectations on him.
Arsenal’s progress in the Carabao Cup should provide further opportunities, particularly after the Gunners were drawn away to League Two side Fleetwood Town in the fourth round.
Dowman has already demonstrated what he can offer when given his chance in the competition.
Winning the Player of the Round vote would provide further recognition of a performance that underlined just how quickly his reputation continues to grow.