Arsenal player ratings: Max Dowman, 16, draws Messi comparisons as Merino shows why Gyokeres has been frozen out

ARSENAL’s B-team cruised into the fourth round of the League Cup as they brushed Ipswich Town aside in a 4-2 win. Mikel Arteta made nine changes to his side that beat Sunderland at the weekend, but his heavily-rotated squad still looked like the business at Portman Road. Max Dowman sparkled as Arsenal beat Ipswich to advance to the fourth round of the League Cup Credit: Getty Arsenal dominated the game despite Mikel Arteta making nine changes from the weekend Credit: Reuters The Gunners were in control from the off as teen sensation Max Dowman opened the scoring after seven minutes with a terrific solo goal. The teen sensation bagged a second later in the game alongside goals from Mikel Merino and Noni Madueke. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Arteta will have been chuffed with his team’s showing as they barely had to get out of second gear to find the result. Here SunSport Arsenal reporter Joshua Hall rates each individual Arsenal performance… KEPA ARRIZABALAGA – 6 The backup goalkeeper had little to do and will be disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet given Arsenal’s dominance. MARLI SALMON – 7 A fifth senior appearance for the teenager, who signed his first professional deal last month on his 17th birthday. BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Marli Samon did well in a tough battle against Zian Flemming Credit: PA Faced a serious battle against Zian Flemming, one that saw him struggle at times, but ultimately came out of it as the winner on the night. He is so comfortable with the ball at his feet and even when he was almost caught in possession by Marcelino Nunez he had the confidence to get out of trouble and drive into midfield. Most read in Sport GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 8 Made a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny a certain goal from Jaden Philogene. The Brazilian acted as Salmon’s big brother for most of the game, guiding the teen through the game and sweeping up any little errors he made. Subbed off at half-time to save his legs after a professional performance. MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7 Pushed back into the left-back position despite a great start to the season in midfield. The 19-year-old slotted straight back into the role with ease and put in another confident performance. MARTIN ZUBIMENDI – 7 Deployed as a makeshift right-back due to the absences of Ben White and Jurrien Timber. The biggest compliment would be that it was hard to even tell he was playing in that position as he went about his night with minimal fuss. Assured performance. BRUNO GUIMARAES – 8 A first start since the Community Shield for the Brazilian, off the back of his stunner off the bench against Sunderland. His role in Arsenal’s second goal was superb, chasing down the back line like a man possessed to win the ball back high up the pitch. He and Mikel Merino bossed the midfield behind Dowman to allow the teen to shine. Bruno Guimaraes was everywhere for Arsenal in midfield Credit: AFP Gabriel Magalhaes guided Marli Salmon through the game Credit: PA MIKEL MERINO – 8 The Spaniard was wearing the captain’s armband and put in a performance to match. He was all over the pitch in his midfield role, dictating play and allowing the players around him to find space off the ball. His delightful dinked ball into the path of Noni Madueke set up Arsenal’s second goal of the night, while his finish to find the bottom corner for the fourth was brilliant. MAX DOWMAN – 9 Arteta warned Dowman that he must “earn” his minutes this week, after the 16-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for Sunderland at the weekend. It took the teenager less than seven minutes to show the Arsenal boss exactly what he can do. His opening goal was a moment of magic, leaving Cedric Kipre for dead with a cheeky shimmy and sending the keeper the wrong way with a tide finish too. And he played a crucial role in the second goal too, pressing the goalkeeper to force the loose pass and allow Guimaraes to win the ball back. His second goal was another example of how composed he is for his age, calmly tucking it into the bottom corner, while his dummy ‘assist’ for Merino’s fourth was another sparkling moment. Arteta has previously compared Dowman to a young Lionel Messi, and it is genuinely not insane to do so when you see just how talented he is. Max Dowman opened the scoring with a brilliant goal Credit: Getty The teen sensation added a second to cap off a brilliant performance Credit: Shutterstock Editorial NONI MADUEKE – 7 It is fair to say Madueke has faced some criticism for his end product since joining Arsenal last summer, but his finish for the second goal was top tier. If Madueke can make those moments a more regular feature of his game then his reputation in North London will improve tenfold. EBERECHI EZE – 6 Back on the left wing, where he will likely play most of his football this season given Arsenal’s lack of depth in that position. It wasn’t exactly an inspiring performance from the England international, who will have been hoping to bag a goal to show he can do it from out wide. VIKTOR GYOKERES – 5 The Swede has scarcely been given a chance up top so far this season, with Arteta preferring Kai Havertz to lead his line in every Premier League game. This performance did little to change that as Gyokeres struggled to be involved in a match that Arsenal dominated once again. Viktor Gyokeres struggled to make an impact on the game Credit: Reuters Noni Madueke fired home Arsenal’s second goal Credit: Getty SUBSTITUTES EZRI KONSA (for Gabriel, 45 mins) – 7 A solid showing as he shared the minuted with Gabriel ahead of a tricky trip to Brighton on Saturday. THEO JULIENNE (for Guimaraes, 64 mins) – 7 A professional debut for the 18-year-old, who came on at right-back and looked comfortable despite his inexperience. CHRISTOS TZOLIS (for Eze, 76mins) – N/A MARTIN ODEGAARD (for Madueke, 76mins) – N/A IFE IBRAHIM (for Zubimendi, 85mins) – N/A Comment now