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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.

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Max Dowman of Arsenal scores his team’s third goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

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.

Max Dowman of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Viktor Gyokeres during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

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.

Max Dowman of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Noni Madueke during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

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.

Max Dowman of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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