Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman joined Wayne Rooney as the only 16-year-olds to score multiple goals in a game for a Premier League club after his brace in the Carabao Cup win at Ipswich Town on Tuesday.
Dowman made headlines last season with a goal and assist during a vital 2-0 win at home to Everton in the Gunners’ Premier League title success, but after four unused substitute appearances during this campaign, he played for the under-21s on Saturday.
Three days later Dowman produced a superb individual goal seven minutes into his first appearance this term before he added another straight after halftime to propel Arsenal to a 4-2 win.
Rooney’s brace as a 16-year-old also came in the League Cup when playing for Everton against Wrexham in October 2002.
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Last season Dowman became the youngest player to start a Premier League fixture when he was named in the lineup against Crystal Palace.
Manager Mikel Arteta had warned Dowman in the buildup to Tuesday’s game that any minutes this season must be earned and the wonderkid needed only seven to make his mark at Portman Road.
Dowman nipped in to intercept before he exchanged passes with Eberechi Eze and proceeded to dance around Cedric Kipre on his way to firing into the bottom corner for a superb solo goal.
His second goal came only 98 seconds after halftime when Dowman controlled Martín Zubimendi’s deflected pass and opened up his body to slot into the bottom corner with his left foot.
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Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino also scored for Arsenal, while Anis Mehmeti and Chuba Akpom grabbed late consolations for the home side.
It was a sixth straight win across all competitions to open the season for Arsenal, who are showing impressive strength in depth that should enable Arteta’s squad to challenge on multiple fronts.
ESPN Research, PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
