Max Dowman Stars as Arsenal Beat Ipswich 4-2 in Carabao Cup

Arsenal booked their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road, although a commanding four-goal advantage eventually became rather more uncomfortable than Mikel Arteta would have wanted.

The headline belonged to Max Dowman, who scored twice, while Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino were also on target for the Gunners.

Dowman gives Arsenal the perfect start

Arsenal started strongly and were ahead after only seven minutes when Dowman opened the scoring.

The Gunners had Ipswich pinned back for much of the opening stages and doubled their advantage in the 16th minute through Madueke, putting themselves firmly in control.

Ipswich did begin to grow into the contest as the half progressed. Kepa was forced into action and Marli Salmon also produced an important block, while Gabriel made a couple of excellent interventions as Arsenal became a little more careless in possession.

Martin Zubimendi endured some unusually loose moments with his passing, including one misplaced ball which nearly sent Ipswich through on the break.

The game became increasingly open towards half-time, but Arsenal survived the home side’s improved spell and went into the interval 2-0 ahead.

Dowman strikes again before Merino makes it four

Arteta made a change at the break, with Ezri Konsa replacing Gabriel, but Arsenal needed only two minutes of the second half to extend their lead.

Once again it was Dowman, grabbing his second of the evening in the 47th minute to make it 3-0.

Ipswich refused to disappear, however, and Kepa was required to make another good save shortly afterwards.

Madueke then sent an inviting ball across the Ipswich goal which Viktor Gyökeres was unable to reach. It summed up a difficult night for the striker, who had struggled to become involved in Arsenal’s attacking play.

Arsenal’s fourth arrived in the 58th minute through Merino, and at 4-0 the contest appeared completely settled.

It didn’t quite work out that way.

Ipswich fight back but Arsenal see it through

A series of Ipswich substitutions around the hour mark gave the hosts fresh impetus, and they pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute.

Arsenal also began rotating their side and giving further minutes to academy players, while the home side continued attacking with very little to lose.

Kepa became increasingly involved. He claimed an Ipswich cross confidently before producing another good stop from close range and later dealt with another break as the Tractor Boys repeatedly threatened Arsenal’s defence.

Eberechi Eze had looked lively before being replaced alongside Madueke in the 76th minute, with Martin Ødegaard and Tzolis coming on.

Another Arsenal youngster, Ibrahim, replaced Zubimendi late on, while Salmon was booked in the closing stages.

Ipswich eventually grabbed a second through Akpom in the 91st minute, but it arrived far too late to alter the outcome.

Full-time: Ipswich Town 2-4 Arsenal.

There were certainly defensive moments Arteta will want his players to learn from, but four goals away from home, valuable minutes throughout the squad and, above everything else, two goals for Max Dowman made this a productive Carabao Cup night for Arsenal.

What did you make of Arsenal’s performance at Portman Road? Were you most impressed by Dowman’s two goals, Kepa’s saves or another player entirely? Let us know in the comments below.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….

You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.

CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…

The post Max Dowman Stars as Arsenal Beat Ipswich 4-2 in Carabao Cup appeared first on Just Arsenal News.