Ipswich Town 2-4 Arsenal: Player ratings as Dowman magic inspires Gunners win
Arsenal secured their spot in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town.
Mikel Arteta made a number of changes for this clash with Kepa Arrizabalaga coming in for his first start of the season while Max Dowman and Marli Salmon were trusted to start. Piero Hincapié and Jurrien Timber were both absent, missing out on chances for crucial minutes.
It didn't take long for Dowman to repay his manager's trust as after just six minutes, he picked the ball up in the Ipswich half and darted towards goal, skipping around their defence before firing a brilliant effort into the back of the net.
The Gunners soon doubled their advantage as they forced another error by the Tractor Boys' defence, allowing Merino to chip a ball over Noni Madueke to bring down and smash into the bottom corner.
Arsenal continued to push to add to their lead with Ipswich looking to find a way back into the game, but neither side could break through the others' defence with Gabriel being particularly important in the visitors maintaining their clean sheet.
In control after 45 😤 pic.twitter.com/fQTBMrwllg
Dowman grabbed his second just after the restart when Martín Zubimendi poked the ball through for him to control and place a low effort into the far corner, putting the game beyond Ipswich's reach.
The visitors didn't stop there as Madueke played the ball back for Guimarães to send across the edge for Merino to set himself and fire an effort in off the post.
Anis Mehmeti pulled a goal back for the hosts on the hour mark, finishing off a quick move with a finish from the centre of the box. Chuba Akpom then netted late on against his former side to grab another consolation.
Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 4-2 win at Ipswich.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 6.5/10 - Not much he could do about Ipswich's consolation. Pretty steady other than conceding.
Martín Zubimendi (RB) - 7/10 - Provided the assist for Dowman's second with a little flicked poke through the defence. Was a relatively good stand-in on the right side of defence.
Marli Salmon (CB) - 7/10 - Lost out on some duels and battles, but was solid for the most part. Really important match for him to get more first team experience.
Gabriel Magalhães (CB) - 7/10 - Made some good blocks to deny Ipswich chances to break into the box. Taken off at half-time, likely to offer him a rest.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - 7/10 - Steady at left back in a position change he hasn't experienced since last season. Made a good sliding block to prevent a through ball.
Mikel Merino (CM) - 7.5/10 - Assisted Madueke for the second with a neat lobbed pass over the top. Neat footwork in midfield, twisting and turning to evade pressure. Nicked his side's fourth with a well-taken finish from the edge of the box.
Bruno Guimarães (CM) - 7/10 - Helped press and cause an error for his side's second. Assisted Merino for the fourth with a neat pass across the edge. Withdrawn just after the hour.
Max Dowman (AM) - 8/10 - Opened the scoring with a brilliant solo run and finish to prove a point. Got his second just after the restart when he received a flick-on by Zubimendi to place an effort into the far corner.
Noni Madueke (RW) - 7/10 - Doubled his side's lead when he brought the ball down before cleverly finishing into the corner. Replaced late on.
Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 5.5/10 - Struggled to get involved with the wingers often opting to cut in rather than cross. Saw a tame effort saved just before the break.
Eberechi Eze (LW) - 6.5/10 - Assisted Dowman with a toe poke for the opener. Had some nice touches after, but failed to make too much of an impact. Withdrawn for the closing stages.
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