Dowman scores twice for Arsenal in Carabao Cup win at Ipswich

Sixteen-year-old Max Dowman scored twice as Arsenal opened their Carabao Cup campaign with a 4-2 win at Ipswich Town on Tuesday, earning the Player of the Match award in the process.

Dowman's brace, which included an opener inside seven minutes at Portman Road, places him alongside Wayne Rooney — who scored twice for Everton in 2002 — as the only 16-year-olds to net twice for a Premier League club in a competitive match.

The teenager also joins a select group of former Arsenal players to score in the Carabao Cup at 16, a list that includes Cesc Fabregas, who netted in a 5-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2003, and Jack Wilshere, who scored in a 6-0 rout of Sheffield United in 2008.

It was Dowman's first start of the 2026/27 season. Manager Mikel Arteta handed him the nod alongside fellow academy prospect Marli Salmon, with both players completing the full 90 minutes. Dowman now has 14 senior appearances for Arsenal, with three goals to his name.

Dowman first made headlines in March when he became the Premier League's youngest-ever goalscorer with a late goal against Everton.

The evening also brought competitive debuts for 18-year-olds Theo Julienne and Ife Ibrahim, both introduced from the bench. Ibrahim had previously debuted against Kairat Almaty in last season's Champions League. Myles Lewis-Skelly also played the full match in what was a strong night for Arsenal's Hale End academy.