Arsenal’s appetite for silverware has travelled neatly into the Carabao Cup. A much-changed side won 4-2 at newly promoted Ipswich Town to reach the last 16, extending a perfect start to the campaign to seven victories in seven matches.
Arsenal beat Ipswich to reach Carabao Cup last 16
Mikel Arteta had already seen his side lift the English Super Cup with a 3-0 win over Manchester City, while their Premier League form included a 2-0 victory at Sunderland. There was no softening of standards at Portman Road, even with nine alterations from the XI that started against Sunderland.
Only Gabriel Magalhaes and Lewis-Skelly kept their places. Kepa, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi came into the team, with Zubimendi again asked to operate at right-back. Max Dowman, Bruno Guimaraes, Noni Madueke, Eze and Viktor Gyokeres were also among the starters.
How the tie unfolded
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Dowman put Arsenal ahead after seven minutes. The 16-year-old won possession, exchanged passes with Eze, beat Kipre and finished past Walton when through on goal.
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The visitors doubled the lead in the 16th minute after another costly Ipswich error in possession. Bruno Guimaraes charged down the goalkeeper’s loose pass, Merino supplied Madueke first time, and the England winger struck firmly with his left foot.
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Arsenal made it 3-0 shortly after the interval. Zubimendi found Dowman inside the area and the teenager guided a composed effort into the far corner for his second of the night.
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Merino added a fourth in the 58th minute, meeting Bruno Guimaraes’ pass from the edge of the box with a low shot that went in off the post. It was the Spaniard’s first goal of the season.
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Ipswich responded four minutes later. Substitute Jack Clarke made progress down the left and pulled the ball back for Albania international Anis Mehmeti, who finished from close range.
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Chuba Akpom, formerly of Arsenal’s academy, scored Ipswich’s second in the first minute of stoppage time. Leif Davis crossed from the left and Akpom’s attempt deflected off Ezri Konsa, wrong-footing Kepa.
Arteta’s side did not need a flawless performance to take control. Their pressing repeatedly exposed Ipswich’s attempts to play out from the back, and the early goals gave Arsenal the sort of cup night that keeps a manager’s rotation plans looking rather sensible.
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Arsenal beat Ipswich 4-2 to reach Carabao Cup last 16
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Arsenal made it seven wins from seven this season as Max Dowman scored twice in a 4-2 Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town.
