Arsenal midfielder wins Player of the Round award

Arsenal’s Max Dowman has won the League Cup’s Player of the Round award, following his excellent performance against Ipswich Town.

Arsenal have confirmed that Gunners youngster Max Dowman has won the League Cup’s official Player of the Round award, following a fan vote.

Dowman was up against Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie, Crystal Palace player Jorgen Strand Larsen, and Floyd Samba of Manchester City, but the public opted to recognise the 16-year-old’s record-breaking performance.

Arsenal fans will be well aware of the reasons why Dowman was nominated, having scored two goals in an impressive 4-2 win away to Ipswich.

As for the others, Christie scored a hat-trick for Bournemouth against Lincoln City, Strand Larsen scored two and assisted one for Palace against Middlesbrough, and Samba scored a brace against Norwich City.

It’s worth noting that all the other nominees were playing against Championship teams, whilst Dowman was facing a Premier League side. The Arsenal player was also the youngest of the nominees.

By scoring twice against Ipswich, Dowman became the youngest player ever to score a brace for a Premier League club in any competition.

Wayne Rooney was the only other 16-year-old ever to score a brace for a Premier League club, netting twice for Everton against Wrexham in 2002.

But Rooney was 16 years, 11 months, and seven days on that day, whereas Dowman was 16 years, eight months, and 15 days against Ipswich. So Dowman has now taken that record for himself.

• Arsenal explore Endrick loan but Real Madrid stance complicates deal
  Arsenal are in contact over a possible January move for Endrick, but differing ideas over the structure of any deal could prove a major complication.
• Arsenal drop more points as pressure builds on Slegers
  Arsenal’s recent improvement stalled against Aston Villa as another frustrating league result left Renée Slegers facing renewed scrutiny at the Emirates.
• Bayern Munich monitoring Martin Odegaard’s Arsenal contract situation
  Arsenal have opened discussions over Martin Odegaard’s future, with the captain’s contract situation beginning to attract attention from elsewhere in Europe.
• Arsenal 20yo loanee suffers calf tear
  Ismeal Kabia is expected to remain out until after the international break after a calf tear, with Arsenal now set to assess the injury.
• Arsenal 20yo suffers ankle injury after returning from ACL lay-off
  Katie Reid’s return has been delayed by a fresh injury after she resumed team training, with Renée Slegers confirming Arsenal now face another wait.