Max Dowman marked his first appearance of the season with two goals, including a stunning solo effort, to fire Arsenal to a 4-2 victory at Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup.
The 16-year-old struck in the sixth minute of the third-round tie at Portman Road after picking the ball up just inside the Ipswich half and running towards goal.
He danced past defender Cedric Kipre on the edge of the box, leaving the centre-back tumbling to the ground, before slamming a fierce strike inside the near post.
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Dowman then added a stylish second goal just 98 seconds into the second half when he took down Martin Zubimendi’s deflected pass and slotted a finish into the far corner.
It made Dowman only the second 16-year-old to score twice for a Premier League team after Wayne Rooney hit a brace in a League Cup tie against Wrexham in 2002.
Dowman sat his GCSEs towards the end of last season while also playing a part in Arsenal’s Premier League title and run to the Champions League final.
He became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history in March when he provided a key assist and scored Arsenal’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Everton that continued their push towards the title.
The teenager was rewarded for his patience with his first appearance of the season after Mikel Arteta’s side had started the new campaign with six wins from six in all competitions.
Arsenal made it 4-0 with 58 minutes played when Mikel Merino rifled home off the post after Dowman let Guimaraes’ pass roll into the path of Arsenal’s stand-in captain.
Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil turned to his bench and Jack Clarke made an instant impact when he dribbled past Zubimendi before he teed up Anis Mehmeti to side foot into the bottom corner in the 62nd minute.
Arteta kept Dowman on the pitch but no hat-trick chance followed and instead another Arsenal academy graduate in Ipswich forward Chuba Akpom had the final say with a smart low finish late on after Leif Davis’ cut back.
Includes reporting from PA
