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Arsenal's Max Dowman Equals Rooney Record

ESPN Soccer •
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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. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said it would be hard to keep the hype down after this latest star showing.

"A joy to have him," Arteta said. "It's inevitable to talk about him when he scores and he creates the moments that he has created tonight. It's normal." Last season Dowman became the youngest player to start a Premier League fixture when he was named in the lineup against Crystal Palace. 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.

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.