Report: Ipswich 2-4 Arsenal (inc. goals)
Max Dowman scored twice as Arsenal eased into the Carabao Cup fourth round with a convincing 4-2 victory over Ipswich at Portman Road.
The 16-year-old produced clinical finishes either side of Noni Madueke’s goal before Mikel Merino added a fourth with a tidy strike off the post. Anis Mehmeti pulled one back for the hosts, with substitute Chuba Akpom further reducing the deficit in stoppage time.
First Half
Mikel Arteta made nine changes from the team that started Saturday’s win over Sunderland, with teenagers Max Dowman and Marli Salmon handed their first starts of the season. The latter partnered Gabriel in the centre of defence, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Zubimendi filling in at full-back.
It didn’t take long for Dowman to provide the highlight of the half. Seven minutes were on the clock when the 16-year-old stole possession and drove at the Ipswich defence, exchanged passes with Eberechi Eze and then produced a lovely shimmy to send Cedric Kipre to the turf before burying his finish past Christian Walton. A terrific goal and his second at senior level. (GOAL)
Despite all the changes, Arsenal’s press was as impressive as ever. They repeatedly smothered Ipswich as they tried to play out from the back, and it paid further dividends on 16 minutes. Bruno Guimaraes pounced on a loose pass from Walton, Mikel Merino flew into the next challenge, and Noni Madueke was on hand to rifle home. (GOAL)
The players were enjoying themselves as much as the travelling fans, who cheerily bounced through their songbook while the home support looked on despondently.
Ipswich eventually found a foothold as Arsenal became a little sloppier. Kepa Arrizabalaga punched clear during one spell of pressure, Anis Mehmeti fired over after a break down the left and Gabriel cleared John McAteer’s tame but goalbound header.
After a very quiet half, Viktor Gyokeres finally found himself on the ball in the area as the clock ticked towards half-time. His spin ended with a shot that was blocked, although in truth he probably should have played in a teammate.
It wasn’t quite deckchair territory for the Gunners, but it was very comfortable.
Second Half
Ezri Konsa replaced Gabriel at half-time, presumably with one eye on Saturday’s trip to Brighton, but Arsenal’s attacking intent remained unchanged.
It took Dowman less than two minutes to add his second. Madueke fed Zubimendi inside the area and the Spaniard squeezed a pass through to the teenager, who calmly slotted beyond Walton. Had he not scored, Arsenal would surely have had a penalty after the ball struck a hand on its way through. (GOAL)
Madueke came close to his second soon afterwards, using a clever touch to make space before steering an effort with the outside of his foot wide. He immediately turned to ask Gyokeres why he hadn’t been there for the tap-in.
No matter. Arsenal had their fourth before the hour mark. Guimaraes pinged a pass into Merino on the edge of the area, and the midfielder took a touch before curling a lovely finish in off the post. (GOAL)
By now, the travelling support were olé-ing Ipswich passes, which felt a fair reflection of how the evening was going.
Gary O’Neil responded with changes, and substitute Jack Clarke helped restore some pride for the hosts. His cutback found Anis Mehmeti unmarked in the middle to stroke beyond Kepa, much to the visible annoyance of Myles Lewis-Skelly. (GOAL)
Arteta then handed Theo Julienne his first-team debut in place of Guimaraes. The 18-year-old slotted in at right-back, allowing Zubimendi to move into midfield.
Ipswich enjoyed their best spell thereafter. Kepa gathered bravely at the feet of former Gunner Chuba Akpom and later saved a deflected Florentino effort, while Arsenal became increasingly sloppy in possession.
Arteta looked unimpressed on the touchline and responded by introducing Martin Odegaard and Christos Tzolis for Eze and Madueke. Tzolis quickly injected some urgency, embarking on a purposeful run before seeing his shot blocked at the near post.
As the game neared its conclusion, Ife Ibrahim replaced Zubimendi, meaning Arsenal finished with four teenagers on the pitch.
Unfortunately, the Gunners did concede a second in stoppage time, Akpom’s effort finding the net with the help of a deflection off Konsa. On another night, Arteta might have complained about a foul in the build-up, but with the job already done, he’ll probably let this one slide. (GOAL)
All in all, a decent night’s work for the Gunners. That’s seven wins from seven. Attention now turns to the Amex and the chance to round off an excellent start to the campaign with another victory before the Interlull.
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